New York renter rights for international students (HSTPA, 2026)

NYC rent stabilization, security deposit caps, broker fees, eviction protections. Everything Columbia and NYU international students need to know.

New York has the strongest renter protections in the US. The 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) added even more. Here's what every international student renter in NYC must know in 2026.

Security deposit (HSTPA 2019)

Maximum security deposit: 1 month's rent across all of NY State (used to be unlimited).
Landlord must return deposit within 14 days of move-out with itemized deductions.
Failure to return on time → landlord forfeits the right to keep ANY of it.
Landlord must offer a move-in walkthrough and provide an itemized condition statement before you sign.

Application + broker fees

Application fee capped at $20 statewide.
Broker fees (typically 12–15% of annual rent in NYC) are paid by whoever hired the broker — usually the tenant. This is one of NYC's biggest student housing pain points.
You can avoid broker fees by going directly to landlords or using "no-fee" listings. Many international students at Columbia and NYU specifically avoid broker fee buildings.

Rent stabilization + rent control

About 1 million NYC apartments are rent-stabilized. Annual increases capped by the Rent Guidelines Board (recent years: 1.5–3.25%).
You have the right to renew a stabilized lease — landlord cannot refuse.
Always ask if a unit is rent-stabilized before signing — it's a major financial advantage long-term.

Habitability + heat

Landlord must provide heat Oct 1 – May 31: minimum 68°F day, 62°F night.
Hot water year-round, minimum 120°F.
Pest-free, functional plumbing, working smoke + CO detectors.
Issues? Call 311 to file a complaint with HPD (Housing Preservation and Development). They will inspect.

Eviction

Landlord must serve written notice and file in court — no self-help evictions.
The Right to Counsel program provides free legal representation to tenants facing eviction in NYC.
Eviction process typically 8–14 weeks. Don't move out until a judge orders you to.

Discrimination

NYC Human Rights Law is broader than federal law. Protected classes include national origin, immigration status, source of income (a landlord cannot refuse to accept a guarantor or scholarship funds for example), religion, and many others.

Where to get help

Met Council on Housing — tenant hotline: 212-979-0611.
Legal Aid Society — free legal representation.
Office of the Tenant Advocate (NYS).
Columbia Legal Aid + NYU Law Clinic — student-run tenant clinics for fellow students.

Want help finding a no-fee NYC apartment near Columbia or NYU? Submit the form below.