How to Find Out if Your Apartment is Rent Stabilized

A guide to checking the rent regulation status of your NYC apartment.

Understanding Rent Stabilization

Rent stabilization provides tenants with important protections, including limits on rent increases and the right to lease renewal. In New York City, apartments are generally stabilized if they are in buildings with 6 or more units built before 1974. However, there are many exceptions due to tax abatements and other programs.

Step 1: Check Your Lease

The simplest way to check is to review your lease. All rent-stabilized leases must include a "Rent Stabilization Rider" that outlines your rights. If this rider is attached to your lease, your apartment is likely rent-stabilized.

Step 2: Request Your Rent History

You have the right to request a complete rent history for your apartment from the New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the agency that oversees rent regulation. This history will show the registered rent for your apartment for every year it was stabilized.

Request Your Rent History from HCR

Reviewing the rent history can reveal if there have been any illegal rent increases or if the apartment was improperly deregulated.

Step 3: Use Online Tools

Several online resources can provide clues about your building's status, though they may not be definitive.

  • JustFix.nyc's "Who Owns What" Tool: This tool allows you to look up your building and see its history, including any tax abatements like J-51 or 421-a that often require rent stabilization.Check on JustFix.nyc
  • AmIRentStabilized.com: A volunteer-run project that aggregates data to help tenants determine their status.Visit AmIRentStabilized.com
  • HCR's Rent Stabilized Building List: HCR provides lists of buildings that have registered as having rent-stabilized units.View HCR Building Lists

What If You Think Your Apartment Should Be Stabilized?

If you believe your apartment is illegally deregulated or your landlord is overcharging you, you can file a "Form RA-89" (Tenant’s Complaint of Rent and/or Other Specific Overcharges) with HCR. It is highly recommended to seek legal advice from a tenant rights organization before taking action.