By: Sydney Harewood. LRSP, NYC
Broker: LEVEL
5 West 37th Street
New York, NY 10018
www.nycexclusiveapts.com
#NYCexclAPTS
Phone: 646-535-3819
Email: sharewood@levelgroup.com
New York City’s brand‑new Rent Transparency Act (Local Law 86 of 2025) makes one thing crystal‑clear: if your building contains even one rent‑stabilized apartment, a bilingual sign must go up in a common area by the end of January 2026 telling residents exactly how to check their unit’s legal rent history with DHCR. (New York City Council)
1. The Big Picture 📌
- Goal: Give tenants ready access to information so they can spot illegal rent overcharges and wrongful deregulation. (Brownstoner, City Limits, amNewYork)
- Sponsor: Council Member Sandy Nurse (Brooklyn), who introduced Intro 1037‑A after discovering her own unit was regulated only after a rent hike attempt. (City Meetings NYC, amNewYork)
- Scale: Roughly 1 million apartments city‑wide are rent‑stabilized, yet many occupants have no idea they benefit from that status. (City Limits)
2. Key Dates & Compliance Timeline 🗓️
Milestone | Date | What Happened |
Council vote | 28 May 2025 | Intro 1037‑A passed with 49 “ayes.” (New York City Council, Belkin · Burden · Goldman, LLP) |
Mayor’s lapse‑into‑law | 27 Jun 2025 | Became Local Law 86 without signature. (New York City Council) |
Effective date | 210 days after enactment → ~31 Jan 2026 | Owners must have the sign posted. (New York City Council) |
Quick infographic
[May 28 ’25] Bill Passed → [Jun 27 ’25] Enacted → [Jan 31 ’26] Signs Due
3. Who Must Comply?
Any multiple dwelling that contains one or more rent‑stabilized units—including mixed market/affordable properties or 421‑a buildings. (New York City Council, HPD Signs NYC, Belkin · Burden · Goldman, LLP)
4. The Sign Itself 🖼️
Mandatory Wording (English & Spanish)
“This building contains one or more units that are subject to the Rent Stabilization Law of 1969. To find out if your unit is registered as rent‑stabilized, contact the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR)… Owners that fail to file may be subject to penalties.” (New York City Council)
Placement: Conspicuously in the lobby/entry or other common area where tenants naturally pass. (New York City Council, Brownstoner)
Format: HPD will publish the official template before the law takes effect (sample mock‑ups already circulate online). (HPD Signs NYC)
5. Penalties for Non‑Compliance 💸
Violation | Civil Penalty |
No sign posted | $50 – $150 initial fine |
Ongoing failure | $25 per day until corrected |
6. New Sign vs. Old Obligations
Landlords still must:
- Register every rent‑stabilized unit with DHCR annually and give each tenant a copy of the registration. (Brownstoner, City Limits)
- Provide the Rent Stabilization Lease Rider on every renewal. (Belkin · Burden · Goldman, LLP)
The Act simply adds a building‑wide disclosure layer to boost visibility and tenant awareness. (rsinclair.substack.com, amNewYork)
7. Action Plan for Owners & Managers 🏗️
- Inventory all buildings for rent‑stabilized units—don’t assume mixed‑income projects are exempt.
- Assign responsibility (super, property manager, or outside vendor) for ordering and posting the HPD‑approved sign once released.
- Audit DHCR registrations now; late filings invite bigger headaches than the new signage ticket.
- Educate staff & brokers so prospective tenants get accurate information—transparency starts at first showing.
- Calendar reminders for January 2026 and set recurring checks to confirm the sign remains intact and readable.
8. Tenant Takeaways 🔍
- Look for the blue “Rent Transparency Act” sign in your lobby come 2026. If it’s missing, you can 311 the owner. (HPD Signs NYC, amNewYork)
- Use the contact info on the sign to request your rent history from DHCR—free and essential for spotting overcharges. (New York City Council)
- Share copies with roommates or future buyers/renters; transparency benefits everyone.
9. Resources & Further Reading 🔗
- Full legislation text (Local Law 86/2025) – NYC Legistar
- DHCR Rent History Request Portal – NY State HCR
- Sample Sign & Printing Options – HPDSigns.nyc
- City Limits explainer – citylimits.org
- Brownstoner coverage & tenant stories – brownstoner.com
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Owners and tenants should consult counsel for guidance on their specific circumstances.
Sydney Harewood is a real estate professional with a passion for NYC’s architectural gems. For inquiries, call or message Syd at 📞646-535-3819. Experience the finest in NYC real estate with Syd’s expert guidance and deep knowledge of the city’s most exquisite properties.
We hope you found this information helpful. If you have any other questions or need more details, feel free to contact us.
