The owner may charge a rent increase based on guidelines promulgated by the applicable Rent Guidelines Board. There are a number of ways to increase the rent for apartments under both Rent Control and Rent Stabilization. A tenant has, without justification, refused to sign a renewal lease. Failure of a tenant to sign and return a proper renewal lease can be grounds for eviction. The owner can request that DHCR mediate the issue.
Mediation is used to resolve the problem without the owner having to go to court.
Owner's Request for Mediation forms are available at local rent offices . The legislature has directed that the increases continue to be a part of the rent to provide an incentive for owners to improve New York State's housing stock. If the building owner fails to offer a renewal lease to the tenant, the tenant shall not be deprived of his or her rights under the regulations. The owner shall be barred from commencing any action or proceeding against the tenant based upon the lack of a required renewal lease. For late fees and legal fees to be valid, the owner must be able to establish that the fees were a base date practice and that the lease clause providing for such fees was lawfully included in the tenant's vacancy lease and all renewal leases.