How to Add Relatives to a Rent-Stabilized Lease
Rent-stabilized apartments were introduced in 1969 to counteract the increasing cost of renting in New York City. Residents of rent-stabilized apartments are protected from sharp increases in rent, as determined by the Rent Guidelines Board each year, and have an ongoing right to renew their leases. When attempting to add a relative to your lease, certain steps should be followed.
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Instructions
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Review your Rent Stabilization Lease Rider. This document describes all the rights and obligations of tenants and owners under Rent Stabilization Law. It should also include detailed information about who can be added to your lease and when.
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Asses whether your relative qualifies to be added to the lease. A spouse can always be added to the lease if the rent-stabilized apartment is his primary residence. Any other relatives must also use the apartment as their primary home in order to qualify, but legal restrictions concerning the total number of people allowed to live in the residence may apply.
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Talk with your landlord. Even though the apartment is rent-stabilized, your landlord may have discretion to exclude certain relatives from being added to the lease. Likewise, if you are adding relatives to your lease before or after a renewal, the landlord is often legally entitled to increase your rent, within the guidelines set by the board.
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Tips & Warnings
Lessees have the right to either a one-year or two-year lease.
It is unlawful to rent more than one rent-stabilized apartment, excluding those in the same building.
References
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