New York Residential Lease Agreement Form

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT (NEW YORK)

Document Control:

• Effective Date: [Effective Date]
• Version Control: NY-RES-2024.1
• Jurisdiction: State of New York, County of [County Name]

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OFFICIAL NOTICE & LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This document is a standardized legal template designed for residential real property located within the State of New York. New York law strictly regulates residential leases, particularly under the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019 and the Real Property Law (RPL). Both Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that legal counsel should be consulted prior to execution to ensure compliance with municipal-specific ordinances (e.g., New York City Rent Stabilization Code, local building codes). Neither the drafter nor the publisher assumes liability for any legal or financial outcomes resulting from the use of this form.

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1. PARTIES & PREMISES

This Residential Lease Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of [Date], by and between:

• Landlord: [Landlord Full Legal Name / Entity], having a principal place of address at [Landlord Address] ("Landlord"), and
• Tenant(s): [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name] and [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name] ("Tenant").

1.1 Demised Premises: Landlord hereby leases to Tenant, and Tenant hereby hires from Landlord, the real property located at: Street Address: [Property Street Address], Unit [Unit Number]*City, State, Zip:*[City], NY [Zip Code](The "Premises"), together with the following personal property, if any:[List Appliances/Furnishings or write "None"]`.

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2. TERM

The term of this Agreement shall be a fixed period commencing on [Lease Start Date] (the "Commencement Date") and ending on [Lease End Date] (the "Expiration Date"), at 11:59 PM, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the terms hereof or applicable New York law.

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3. RENT & PAYMENT TERMS

3.1 Base Rent: Tenant covenants and agrees to pay to Landlord as base rent the sum of $ [Monthly Rent Amount] per month. Rent shall be payable in advance on or before the first (1st) day of each calendar month.

3.2 Payment Mechanics: Rent shall be paid via [Payment Method, e.g., Electronic Transfer / ACH / Certified Check] to [Payment Destination / Account Details].

3.3 Late Fees & Grace Period: Pursuant to New York Real Property Law § 238-a, Landlord shall provide a five (5) day grace period. If rent is not received by Landlord by the sixth (6th) day of the month, Tenant shall pay a late charge not to exceed $ [Late Fee Amount, Max $50 or 5% of monthly rent, whichever is less] or as otherwise permitted by New York law.

3.4 Returned Checks: For any bank check returned for insufficient funds (NSF), Tenant shall pay a returned check fee of $ [NSF Fee, Max $20 per RPL § 5-328].

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4. SECURITY DEPOSIT

4.1 Deposit Amount: Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of $ [Security Deposit Amount] (which shall not exceed one (1) month's rent pursuant to NY HSTPA 2019) as security for the faithful performance by Tenant of all terms hereof.

4.2 Depository & Interest: In accordance with New York General Obligations Law § 7-103, Landlord shall deposit the security deposit in an interest-bearing account at [Name of New York Banking Institution], located at [Bank Address]. Interest earned, minus the statutory 1% administrative fee retained by Landlord, shall be payable to Tenant annually or upon the expiration of this Agreement.

4.3 Return of Deposit: Within fourteen (14) days after Tenant vacates the Premises, Landlord shall return the full security deposit minus any lawful deductions for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or utility charges owed. An itemized statement of any deductions shall accompany the returned funds.

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5. USE & OCCUPANCY

5.1 Permitted Use: The Premises shall be used and occupied strictly as a private single-family residential dwelling by Tenant and the following authorized occupants only: [List Names of Other Occupants / Minor Children].

5.2 Subletting & Assignment: Pursuant to New York Real Property Law § 226-b, Tenant shall not assign this Agreement, nor sublet the Premises or any part thereof, without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed.

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6. UTILITIES & SERVICES

Tenant shall be directly responsible for arranging and paying for all utility services consumed on the Premises, except for the following, which shall be paid by Landlord: [List Landlord-paid utilities, e.g., Water, Trash Removal, or write "None"].

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7. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, & COMPLIANCE

7.1 Landlord Obligations: Landlord shall maintain the structural elements, roof, plumbing, heating, and electrical systems in compliance with the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law, the New York City Housing Maintenance Code (if applicable), and the implied warranty of habitability (RPL § 235-b).

7.2 Tenant Obligations: Tenant shall keep the Premises clean, sanitary, and in good repair, and shall immediately notify Landlord of any structural damage, water leaks, or hazardous conditions. Tenant shall be liable for repairs necessitated by the negligence or willful misconduct of Tenant, its guests, or invitees.

7.3 Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: If the Premises were constructed prior to 1978, Tenant acknowledges receipt of the federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure form and EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home."

7.4 Window Guards & Smoke Detectors: Tenant acknowledges receipt of New York City/State required notices regarding window guards and operational smoke/carbon monoxide detectors pursuant to local municipal codes.

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8. ACCESS BY LANDLORD

Pursuant to common law and applicable New York local ordinances, Landlord or Landlord's agents may enter the Premises upon reasonable prior notice (except in cases of bona fide emergency) to inspect the property, make necessary repairs, or exhibit the Premises to prospective purchasers, lenders, or tenants during the final sixty (60) days of the term.

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9. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

9.1 Events of Default: It shall constitute a default if: (a) Tenant fails to pay rent within the grace period; (b) Tenant breaches any other material covenant herein and fails to cure same within ten (10) days after written notice from Landlord; or (c) Tenant files for bankruptcy or abandons the Premises.

9.2 Landlord Remedies: Upon default, Landlord may pursue any and all remedies available under New York Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL), including summary eviction proceedings, and recover all actual damages, legal fees (where authorized by statute/court order), and costs. Landlord is under a statutory obligation to mitigate damages pursuant to RPL § 227-e.

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10. GOVERNING LAW & SEVERABILITY

10.1 Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles.

10.2 Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

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11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between Landlord and Tenant and supersedes all prior oral or written representations. This Agreement may only be modified via a written instrument executed by both parties.

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12. SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Residential Lease Agreement as of the Effective Date written above.

LANDLORD:

Signature: ___________________________________
Printed Name: [Landlord Name]
Title: [Title, e.g., Owner / Managing Agent]
Date: [Date]

TENANT(S):

Signature: ___________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 1 Name]
Date: [Date]

Signature: ___________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 2 Name]
Date: [Date]

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STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Review & Customization: Complete all bracketed fields ([...]) with accurate factual data. Ensure security deposit amounts comply strictly with the NY HSTPA (maximum 1 month's rent).
2. Statutory Disclosures: Attach all mandatory New York disclosures prior to signing, including the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (if pre-1978), Window Guard Notice, and Bed Bug Infestation History form (RPL § 235-e).
3. Execution: Both Landlord (or authorized agent) and all adult Tenants must sign and date the signature block in counterpart or original.
4. Fund Transfer & Record Keeping: Collect the security deposit via a separate, traceable payment method. Deposit funds into the designated New York interest-bearing escrow account within the statutory timeframe and provide the banking institution's name and address notice to Tenant pursuant to GOL § 7-103.