Rental laws...NEW YORK

[uquillas06]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NYC

Hello! My parents have been renting an apartment in brooklyn ny for the last 7 years. They went to pay their monthly rent this month and were told their rent would be going up from 1100 to 1350.
They dont have a renters agreement/lease but they have receipts of rent payments. Is their landlord allowed to raise their rent so much and without notice?

Thanks

 

[BL]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NYC

Hello! My parents have been renting an apartment in brooklyn ny for the last 7 years. They went to pay their monthly rent this month and were told their rent would be going up from 1100 to 1350.
They dont have a renters agreement/lease but they have receipts of rent payments. Is their landlord allowed to raise their rent so much and without notice?

Thanks

You Are Guilty is familiar with NYC Laws ..

Having said that , depending on the type of rental, a 30 day written notice may be required.

Verbal notices are not enforceable.

 

[You Are Guilty]

The fact that they don't already have a written lease indicates that this is not a rent stabilized (or rent controlled) unit. In which case, yes, monthly rent can be raised, and yes, there is no limit. Surely you did not expect them to pay the same monthly rent in all of perpetuity?

As BL indicated, the only questions are as to the method of notification and the timing. A written notice is a good idea but not strictly "required" - it just makes proving the rent increase easier in court. But there does need to be at least one full rental period (month) of advance notice. That means a notice provided today, July 22, would mean that the rent increase can go into effect no sooner than September 1.

Now, keep in mind that if the tenants decide to complaint about a) the method of the notice (email, paper, verbal, etc.); b) the timing of the notice (or lack thereof); c) the amount of the rent increase; or d) anything else at all, then instead of a 30-day notice of rent increase, the LL can give them a 30-day notice to quit -- which means they have to get out of the unit or face eviction.

In short, while rent increases are negotiable, the LL holds all the cards so it pays to "be nice".

Good luck.