What is the Good Cause Eviction law?

November 18, 2025

The Good Cause Eviction law aims to protect New Yorkers from unreasonable eviction or rent increases. This law specifically protects many New York City tenants in unregulated homes. If your home is covered by this law, the landlord will need to provide a “good cause” reason to end a tenancy. 

What homes are not covered by the Good Cause Eviction law?
Some homes may not qualify for Good Cause Eviction protection. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Homes owned by a landlord who has 10 units or fewer total in New York state
  • If a tenant sublets their apartment and chooses to return to the home 
  • An apartment that is rent-stabilized or rent-controlled
  • Homes regulated by government entities with rent or income restrictions, such as HPD Housing Connect or Project-Based Section 8 vouchers 
  • Homes built on or after January 1, 2009 
  • Buildings with 10 or fewer apartments, if the owner lives in the same building


You can find more information about homes that do not qualify here. 


What are “good cause” reasons for eviction under the Good Cause Eviction law? 
Under this law, landlords can evict a tenant, terminate a tenancy, or refuse to renew a lease for “good cause” reasons. This can include, but is not limited to: 

  • Nonpayment of rent (unless the nonpayment is due to an unreasonable rent increase) 
  • The tenant has broken the terms of the lease or other agreed-upon rules set by the landlord 
  • The tenant has allowed behavior or behaved in a way that interferes with the health, safety, or comfort of other tenants 
  • The tenant has damaged the home or property 
  • The tenant is using the home or property for illegal activity or allowing others to do so 


You can find more “good cause” reasons here. 


What is an unreasonable rent increase? 
To calculate a reasonable rent increase for a home covered by the Good Cause Eviction law, you can use this formula: 


(Current rent) x (1.0879) = Maximum total rent after increase 


For example, if your current rent is 1,000: 
(1000) x (1.0879) = 1087.90


Therefore, if your rent is increased to a total of $1,087.90, it could be deemed unreasonable in housing court. 




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