Do this today
- Write the date, time, who entered, and whether you were told in advance.
- Keep texts, emails, or posted notes about entry.
- If you felt unsafe, that is a safety issue as well as a tenancy issue — 911 if someone is in danger.
- Do not change locks without confirming New York rules and the lease.
What usually depends on the reason?
Emergencies, agreed-upon repairs, and showings to buyers or new tenants are often treated differently in New York landlord-tenant and summary-proceeding statutes. A national “24 hours” line is a rumor, not a rule we will print. The hour-count, if New York has one, is in the chapter.
What if it keeps happening?
Repeated unannounced entry is worth a dated log. Whether New York treats that as a breach, a privacy violation, or something a court can stop is a legal-aid question. The log is what you take them.
Is New York State the same as New York City for renters?
No. Real Property Law and the RPAPL are statewide. NYC adds the Housing Maintenance Code, HPD, 311, and Housing Court in the five boroughs. HCR administers rent-regulated housing. Buffalo, Rochester, and the rest of the state are not HPD. Do not call NYC HPD about an upstate unit.
The New York chapter
New York landlord-tenant and summary-proceeding statutes (N.Y. Real Prop. Law Art. 7; Real Prop. Acts. and Proc. Law) is the starting point. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
New York's tenancy rules are spread across the Real Property Law and the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law, and the Attorney General publishes a Residential Tenants' Rights Guide. New York City and several counties have additional regulated-housing systems.
New York City has its own rent-stabilization system, housing court, and housing maintenance code. Some other counties and municipalities have adopted rent regulation as well. Whether a particular building is regulated is a building-by-building question.
Official sources
- StatuteNew York Real Property Law, Article 7 — Landlord and TenantNYS Open Legislation, the Senate's official law publisher.
- StatuteNew York Real Property Actions and Proceedings LawThe law governing summary proceedings, including eviction cases.
- State agencyNYS Homes and Community Renewal — Tenant Protection UnitState agency for rent-regulated housing and tenant harassment complaints.
- State agencyNew York Attorney General — Residential Tenants' Rights GuideThe state's plain-language guide for renters.
- Free legal helpLawHelpNY — Tenant and homeowner rightsStatewide legal-aid guides and referrals.
- Statute indexCornell LII landlord-tenant tableN.Y. Real Prop. Law Art. 7; Real Prop. Acts. and Proc. Law
- FederalHUD — New York
- Free legal helpLawHelp.org — New York
Common questions
Can my landlord in New York enter without notice?
Sometimes, for emergencies. For other reasons, New York landlord-tenant and summary-proceeding statutes usually requires notice of some kind. We do not print an hour-count. Write down what happened and confirm the chapter.
Can I refuse entry in New York?
It depends on the reason, the notice, and the lease. Refusing a lawful entry can become a lease issue. Ask legal aid before you change locks or bar a posted repair visit.
Is New York State the same as New York City for renters?
No. Real Property Law and the RPAPL are statewide. NYC adds the Housing Maintenance Code, HPD, 311, and Housing Court in the five boroughs. HCR administers rent-regulated housing. Buffalo, Rochester, and the rest of the state are not HPD. Do not call NYC HPD about an upstate unit.
The national landlord entry guide has the full sequence. Open the landlord entry guide
People also ask
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org