Video
Tenant Rights
File a Complaint – NYS Division of Human Rights
The NYS Division of Human Rights (DHR) provides an process for submitting a complaint form if you believe you are experiencing discrimination in housing related to a protected category.
Housing Discrimination Based on Disability Under the NYS Human Rights Law
John Herrion of the NYS Division of Human Rights reviews coverage under the New York State Human Rights Law for people on the basis of disability in housing, including enforcement and claims processes.
Renters Bill of Rights
The City of Albany, NY provides a flyer titled Renters Bill of Rights that highlights a variety of tenant rights using pictures and text. The flyer can be seen to the right, and it can be accessed at the following link to be downloaded or printed as needed.
Guía de derechos de los inquilinos residenciales
The New York State Office of the Attorney General provides an extensive guide on tenant rights that covers several topics, including types of leases, rent charges, subletting or apartment sharing, repairs, safety features, and utility services. Spanish version.
Housing Rights for People with Disabilities
Disability Rights New York provides written fact sheet on topics related to housing for people with disabilities. Specifically, this fact sheet provides general guidance on rights related to reasonable accommodations and modifications in addition to general fair housing information.
Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide
The New York State Office of the Attorney General provides an extensive guide on tenant rights that covers several topics, including types of leases, rent charges, subletting or apartment sharing, repairs, safety features, and utility services. English version.
Service Animal Myths
Disability Rights New York help to debunk some myths that exist about service animals. Captioning provided.
Service Animals vs Emotional Support Animals
Disability Rights New York provides free training on the differences between service animals and emotional support animals. Captioning provided.
Source of Income Discrimination brochure
The New York State Office of the Attorney General provides this brochure highlighting rights and key information for New Yorkers to know related to source of income discrimination.
Further Learning
Assistance Animals in Housing
Disability Rights New York provides a written fact sheet on issues related to assistance animals in housing.
Changes in New York State Rent Law
New York State Office of the Attorney General provides this What you Need to Know document highlighting changes in rent law due to the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection act of 2019. These summaries cover a variety of topics, including security deposit caps, limits on late payment fees, rights to a receipt, ways to get security deposits back, etc.
Emotional Support Animals and the Fair Housing Act
U.S. Service Animals is an online registry for service animals and emotional support animals. They provide written education on the fair housing act and a tenant’s right to have support animals, including what information you need to share with your landlord.
Free Tenant Resources
The Housing Council at PathStone in Rochester provides comprehensive free resources on fair housing practices and tenant rights and responsibilities. Many are available in both English and Spanish.
General Eviction Information for New York
LawNY provides the following general legal guidance on basic eviction information in New York State. Available in Spanish.
HCR Tenants Homepage
NYS Homes & Community Renewal provides this landing page for tenants to access information on a variety of topics related to their rights when renting a unit.
Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019
Detailed information regarding New York State Senate bill S6458, commonly known as the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019.
Illegal Evictions
LawNY provides the following general legal guidance on what to know about illegal attempts to evict a tenant. Available in Spanish.
Living Conditions & Essential Services
NYS Homes and Community Renewal provides a brief overview of tenant rights related to living conditions of an apartment and essential services that must be provided. This overview is followed by a frequently asked questions section as well as related fact sheets that can be downloaded or printed.
New Protections for NY State Renters
LawNY provides a general summary of new protections for tenants that were put in place in 2019 when the New York State Governor signed the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019. Available in Spanish.
Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications
HUD provides some written guidance on their website regarding a tenant’s right to reasonable accommodations and modifications, including a brief overview of the different laws that apply. Additionally, they provide some examples along with a question and answer section with links to additional information
Service Animals brochure
The New York State Office of the Attorney General provides this brochure highlighting the rights of New Yorkers to have a service animal in public accommodations and housing.
NYS Attorney General – Home Page for Tenants & Homeowners
The Office of the NYS Attorney General provides information for tenants and homeowners about their rights, and they assist with complaints of harassment, discrimination, or other illegal activity. Visit this home page to explore the publicly available resources or to file a complaint.