Paying Rent
Currently, there is no rent suspension in effect. Your landlord can still collect rent as scheduled, and if you can pay your rent, you should continue to do so.
On May 7, the Governor announced a ban on late fees and missed payments fees during the eviction moratorium period, extended through August 20. Renters facing COVID-related hardship are allowed to use their security deposit as payment and repay the deposit over time.
If you need help paying rent, you may be eligible for financial assistance. To learn how to apply for a one-time emergency grant, visit the One Shot Deal page. If you need ongoing financial support, learn about applying for cash assistance on the Public Assistance or Welfare page.
COVID Rent Relief Program
Governor Cuomo's COVID Rent Relief Program is for residents of New York State. The COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. (Tenants who receive a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher or who reside in NYCHA public housing and their rent cannot be more than 30% of their income would not be eligible under the statute.*)
*For households that receive Section 8 vouchers: If their rent burden exceeds 30% of their income, and they have lost income in this period, the household should request an adjustment to their rental payment standard. Households can contact their voucher administrator to request an Interim Recertification. If you have a NYCHA Section 8 voucher, go to the NYCHA Public Housing and NYCHA Section 8 page. If you have an HPD Section 8 voucher or Housing Choice Voucher, go to the HPD Section 8 page.
To qualify for COVID Rent Relief Assistance, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility rules:
- Have a primary residence in New York State.
- Before March 1, 2020 and when a resident applies, their household income must be below 80% of the area median income for their county and household size.
Find your county’s area median income, based on household size.
Example: In Clinton County, the area median family income is $76,800. If you are a family of four, and your household income is below $58,950, your household would meet this criteria.
- Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, your household must pay more than 30% of your gross monthly income for rent.
Example: Your monthly household income is $2,000. Thirty percent of your monthly household income would be $600, but you pay $700 a month in rent. Your household would meet this criteria.
- You lost income during the COVID-19 crisis during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.
Example: If you are paid hourly and have had your hours reduced since April 1, 2020, or have lost employment, you would meet these criteria.
The rental assistance payment will cover the difference between the household’s rent burden on March 1, 2020 and the increase in rent burden for the months the households is applying for assistance. Households can apply for up to four months in rental assistance.
Applications for the COVID Rent Relief Program, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) opened on July 16th, and applications must be submitted online or by mail by July 30th.
Online
PLEASE NOTE - Internet Explorer is NOT Supported.
Learn more and apply.
By Phone
You can get assistance with your application by phone.
Questions before you file
Customers who have questions about their eligibility or need guidance on how to apply can contact the Tenant Helpline.
Call 311 for assistance.
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Questions after you file
If you have ready filed and need further assistance, can contact the New York State HCR Call Center.
- Agency: New York State Homes and Community Renewal
- Division: Rent Relief Program
- Phone Number: (833) 499-0318
- Business Hours:
Evictions
All pending eviction orders are suspended until further notice, as ordered by Chief Administrative Judge Marks. No tenant may be evicted until there is a change to the court order. Under new state legislation, if you have experienced a financial hardship any time between March 7, 2020 and the date that all COVID-related safety restrictions are lifted in the region, you may not be evicted for failing to pay rent first owed during that period.
Your landlord can still collect rent as scheduled, and if you can pay your rent, you should continue to do so. If you need help paying rent, go to the Public Assistance or Welfare page.
To learn about the latest updates to this information, you can contact the City’s Tenant Helpline. The Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT) is available to assist you with questions about your tenancy and connect you with free legal assistance through HRA’s Office of Civil Justice through the City’s Office of Civil Justice via the Tenant Helpline below.
If you are in an immediate housing crisis or need eviction prevention services, visit the Eviction Prevention and HomeBase page.
Housing Court
New York City Housing Court is open for emergency cases permitted by the court, including if you are locked out of your home without a court order, if you need emergency repairs, or if you need critical services like heat or hot water.
You can start an emergency case electronically or over the phone and you can appear in without coming to a court building. Learn more on the Housing Court for Tenants and Landlords page.
Most other matters, including regular appearances in housing court, will be rescheduled by the court and parties will be notified by postcard. You can get more information online or by phone.
Online
Learn more about Housing Court operations during the outbreak.
By Phone
- Agency: New York Courts
- Division: New York Courts Coronavirus Hotline
- Phone Number: (833) 503-0447
- Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Free legal assistance is available through the Human Resources Administration’s Office of Civil Justice to New York City residential renters with questions or issues related to their housing.
During the COVID-19 emergency, free legal assistance is available to New York City residential renters through the City’s Office of Civil Justice via the Tenant Helpline below.
Discrimination
Your landlord cannot harass or discriminate against you, kick you out, or ask you to leave your apartment because of fears or stigma around COVID-19, including harassment or discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, national origin, disability, or other protected classes.
If this is happening to you, you can report it to the NYC Commission on Human Rights. Learn more on the Discrimination page.
During the COVID-19 emergency, free legal assistance is available to New York City residential renters through the City’s Office of Civil Justice via the Tenant Helpline below.
Tenant Helpline
Residential Tenants
If you have questions about your residential tenancy or are experiencing tenant harassment, the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants’ (MOPT) Tenant Helpline can provide information, help with benefits, and access to free legal advice.
View tenant protection fact sheet.
It is illegal for building owners to force tenants to leave their apartments or surrender their rights. If you are a tenant in an apartment in New York City who is being harassed by your landlord, you can get information and help.
The harassment of tenants can include:
- Not offering leases or lease renewals.
- Repeatedly trying to pay you to move out (aka buyouts: rent-regulated tenants can reject buyout offers and continue to live in their home. If you are offered a buyout, there are certain rules that the property owner has to follow when making the offer.)
- Unjustified eviction notices or illegal lockouts.
- Threats and intimidation, such as late-night phone calls.
- Overcharging for a rent-regulated apartment.
You can contact MOPT’s Tenant Helpline online or by phone.
Online
Contact the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants.
By Phone
Call 311 for assistance.
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Commercial Tenants
If your business needs help with a commercial lease issue, you may be eligible for free legal services. Learn more on the Commercial Lease Assistance page.