Buffalo Landlord Laws, the 2026 Quick Guide

Buffalo operates under New York state law (RPL Article 7, GOL 7-108, HSTPA 2019, Part HH 2024 Good Cause). Buffalo opted into Good Cause Eviction in 2024. This is the Buffalo-specific quick reference for 2026.

## New York baseline (HSTPA + Good Cause)

• Security deposit cap: 1 month rent (HSTPA 2019, GOL 7-108(1-a)).
• Return deadline: 14 days with itemization (GOL 7-108(1-a)(e)).
• Late fee cap: $50 or 5% of rent, whichever less (HSTPA 2019, RPL 238-a(2)).
• Application fee cap: $20 (RPL 238-a(1)(b)).
• Pay-or-quit notice: 14 days (RPAPL 711(2)).
• Termination notice: 30/60/90 day tenure-based (RPL 226-c).
• Good Cause Eviction: Buffalo opted in 2024.

## Buffalo-specific rules

Buffalo overlay: - Buffalo Good Cause Opt-In: just cause termination required for most tenancies. - Rent cap under Good Cause: presumptive cap at lower of CPI + 5% or 10%. - Buffalo Property Maintenance Code. - Erie County Right-to-Counsel programs. - No source-of-income protection at Buffalo level (NYC has it). - Lead disclosure: federal + Buffalo Health Department for pre-1978.

## Buffalo eviction process

Buffalo evictions go through Buffalo City Court:

1. 14-day pay-or-quit (RPAPL 711(2)).
2. Petition + notice of petition.
3. Court-set hearing.
4. Judgment + warrant of eviction.
5. City Marshal lockout.

## Common mistakes

Pre HSTPA late fees. Templates pre-2019 have $50+ flat fees; HSTPA caps at $50 or 5% lower.

3-day pay-or-quit instead of 14. HSTPA changed the rule. Pre-2019 templates routinely defective.

No-fault termination of Good Cause-covered tenancies. Buffalo opted in 2024.

For a Buffalo-ready New York residential lease, see leasekit.io/templates/new-york-residential-lease for $29 one-time.