How does a New York landlord calculate a legal rent increase?
Step 1: confirm the unit is covered (most are, but Owner-occupied buildings of 10 units or fewer and Buildings with certificate of occupancy issued within the last 30 years (rolling) may be exempt). Step 2: calculate the cap: lower of 5% + CPI or 10% flat. Step 3: multiply current rent by the cap to get the maximum dollar increase. Step 4: serve the proper advance notice (RPL 226-c (HSTPA 2019)). Step 5: the new rent takes effect on the notice's effective date, no earlier.
Source: RPL 226-c (HSTPA 2019)
This is an informational answer based on RPL 226-c (HSTPA 2019) as of early 2026. It is not legal advice. Housing law changes year to year and local ordinances (especially in rent-controlled or rent-stabilized cities) can override or add to state law. For contested cases, consult a New York-licensed attorney.