New York's Good Cause Eviction Law: Notice Requirements Take Effect August 18, 2024

On April 20, 2024, the Good Cause Eviction Law (“GCE”) was enacted. Therefore, starting August 18, 2024, all landlords in New York State will be required to provide tenants with a standardized Good Cause Eviction Law Notice, regardless of whether the property is subject to or exempt from the law's eviction protections. What does this mean for you as a landlord?

Key Points:

  1. The notice must be included with all new leases, lease renewals, notices of non-renewal, and certain eviction notices required by law.

  2. This requirement applies to all residential landlords, even those exempt from the law's "good cause" eviction restrictions.

  3. The standardized notice form will be provided by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR).

Notice Contents:

The Good Cause Eviction Law Notice must include:

  1. Whether the unit is covered by or exempt from the law's eviction protections

  2. If exempt, the specific reason for exemption

  3. For covered units:

  • Justification for any rent increases

  • Explanation of grounds for non-renewal, if applicable

Importance of Compliance:

Failure to provide the required notice could result in dismissal of eviction proceedings, requiring landlords to restart cases with proper notices. To ensure compliance, landlords should:

  1. Consult with legal counsel to determine applicability of the law's eviction protections.

  2. Implement procedures to include the notice with all required documents.

  3. Stay informed about the final notice form to be issued by DHCR.

Broader Context:

The GCE aims to strengthen tenant protections in New York City and localities that opt in. It limits evictions to specific "good cause" reasons, restricts rent increases, and mandates certain lease renewals.

While the law's eviction protections have exemptions (e.g., owner-occupied buildings with fewer than four units, newly constructed buildings for 30 years), the notice requirement applies universally.

If you have any questions about how these changes may affect you or your property management practices, please give our office a call. We are here to help!

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