The Complete Guide to
Renting in NYC — 2026

You'll typically need first month's rent, security deposit (max 1 month), and potentially a broker fee (usually 15% of annual rent). Most landlords require income of 40x monthly rent. For a $2,500/month apartment, expect $5,000-10,000 upfront and annual income of $100,000.

Rent stabilization is a NYC program that limits rent increases and provides strong tenant protections. It typically applies to buildings built before 1974 with 6+ units. Rent-stabilized tenants have the right to lease renewal and capped annual rent increases.

You can check HPD violations for free on StreetSmart by searching any NYC address. We show the complete violation history, landlord information, and building quality scores.

NYC tenants have extensive rights including: the right to livable conditions (heat, hot water, no pests), protection from illegal eviction, security deposit limits (max 1 month), right to repairs, and protection from discrimination and harassment.

Since 2019, the maximum security deposit in NYC is one month's rent. Landlords cannot charge more, regardless of your credit history. The deposit must be held in an interest-bearing account at a New York bank.