Lease Agreement Template New York

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

NEW YORK STATE (STATUTORY COMPLIANT)

DOCUMENT CONTROL:

• Effective Date: [Effective Date]
• Version: 2024.1 (NYS Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act Compliant)
• Jurisdiction: State of New York, County of [County Name]

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OFFICIAL NOTICE & DISCLAIMER

This is a legally binding contract intended for use within the State of New York. This template has been structured to comply with the New York Real Property Law (RPL), the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019, and local municipal codes where applicable. Both Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that they have been advised to consult with independent legal counsel prior to execution. Failure to comply with specific statutory notice requirements, security deposit handling procedures, or rent regulation disclosures may result in severe civil and statutory penalties.

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1. PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

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

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

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], NY [Zip Code] (the "Premises"), inclusive of the following appurtenances: [List any included storage units, parking spaces, or appliances].

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2. TERM

The term of this Agreement shall commence on [Lease Start Date, e.g., October 1, 2024] (the "Commencement Date") and shall expire at 11:59 PM on [Lease End Date, e.g., September 30, 2025] (the "Expiration Date"), without the necessity of notice from either party, unless renewed or extended pursuant to written agreement or statutory requirement.

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3. RENT, SECURITY DEPOSIT, & FEES

A. Monthly Rent

Tenant covenants and agrees to pay to Landlord as base rent the sum of [Written Dollar Amount] Dollars ($[Numeric Amount]) per month. Rent is due in advance on or before the first (1st) day of each calendar month (the "Due Date") and shall be paid via [Payment Method, e.g., electronic portal / ACH / certified check] to Landlord at the address set forth above or designated alternate location.

B. Grace Period & Late Fees

Pursustant to NY RPL § 238-a, no late fee may be assessed until the rent is past due for at least five (5) days. If rent is not received by the sixth (6th) day of the month, Tenant shall pay a late fee equal to [5]% of the monthly rent or $[Flat Late Fee Amount], whichever is lower.

C. Security Deposit

Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of [Written Dollar Amount] Dollars ($[Numeric Amount]), which shall not exceed one (1) month’s rent pursuant to NY HSTPA.

• Depository Bank: The security deposit shall be held in an interest-bearing / non-interest-bearing (strike one) account at [Name of Banking Institution], located at [Bank Address].
• Return of Deposit: Within fourteen (14) days after the Tenant has vacated the Premises, Landlord shall provide Tenant with an itemized statement indicating the basis for any deductions and return the remaining deposit balance, strictly adhering to NY General Obligations Law § 7-108.

D. Bad Check / Returned Payment Fee

In the event any check or electronic payment is returned for insufficient funds (NSF) or closed accounts, Tenant shall pay a returned payment fee of $[35.00] (not to exceed statutory maximums).

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4. USE & OCCUPANCY

The Premises shall be used and occupied strictly and solely as a private residential dwelling by Tenant and the following authorized occupants only: [List Names of Other Occupants/Minors].

• Subletting & Assignment: Tenant shall not assign this Agreement, nor sublet the Premises or any part thereof, without Landlord’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, in accordance with NY RPL § 226-b.
• Short-Term Rentals: Unauthorized listing, advertising, or operating of the Premises as a short-term rental (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) is strictly prohibited and constitutes a material, non-curable default.

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5. UTILITIES & SERVICES

Tenant shall be directly responsible for arranging and paying for all utility services consumed on the Premises, except for those explicitly stated below:

• Tenant Paid: [e.g., Electricity, Gas, Internet, Cable]
• Landlord Paid: [e.g., Water, Sewer, Trash Removal]

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6. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, & HABITABILITY

• Warranty of Habitability: Landlord covenants to maintain the Premises in compliance with the New York City Housing Maintenance Code, the Multiple Dwelling Law, or local state building codes, ensuring the Premises are fit for human habitation.
• Tenant Maintenance: Tenant shall keep the Premises in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition, and shall promptly notify Landlord of any structural damage, water leaks, or required repairs.
• Alterations: Tenant shall not make any structural alterations, painting, wallpapering, or changes to the electrical/plumbing systems without the express prior written consent of Landlord.

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7. ACCESS BY LANDLORD

Pursuant to common law and applicable New York local ordinances, Landlord, or Landlord’s agents, shall have the right to enter the Premises upon reasonable notice (at least twenty-four (24) hours, except in cases of bona fide emergency) to inspect the Premises, make necessary repairs, or exhibit the Premises to prospective purchasers, mortgagees, or tenants during the final sixty (60) days of the term.

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8. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

• Default by Tenant: If Tenant fails to pay rent within fourteen (14) days of receiving written notice of non-payment pursuant to NY RPL § 711(2), or violates any other material provision of this Agreement and fails to cure such violation within ten (10) days after written notice from Landlord, Landlord may terminate this Agreement and pursue all available legal remedies, including summary eviction proceedings.
• Duty to Mitigate: In the event of a breach and abandonment by Tenant, Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to re-let the Premises to mitigate damages, in accordance with New York law.

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9. STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

• Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. The federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form is attached hereto and made a material part of this Agreement (applicable to applicable pre-1978 structures).
• Bed Bug Infestation History: Landlord warrants that the Premises [has / has not] experienced a bed bug infestation within the previous year. A completed Bed Bug Disclosure Notice (NY RPL § 235-e) is attached.
• Sprinkler System Disclosure: Pursuant to NY RPL § 231-a, Landlord discloses that the building [does / does not] maintain an operative sprinkler system.

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10. GOVERNING LAW & SEVERABILITY

• Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal action arising from this lease must be brought in the municipal, county, or state court having jurisdiction over the Premises.
• Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

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11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

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

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SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

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

LANDLORD:

Signature: _____________________________________ Print Name: [Landlord / Authorized Agent Name] Title: [Title, e.g., Managing Member / Owner] Date: [Date]

TENANT(S):

Signature: _____________________________________ Print Name: [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name] Date: [Date]

Signature: _____________________________________ Print Name: [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name] Date: [Date]

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STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Review and Populate: Fill out all bracketed operational fields (dates, monetary amounts, names, and addresses) with clinical accuracy. Do not leave blank spaces.
2. Attach Mandatory Disclosures: Ensure the New York State Bed Bug Disclosure Notice, Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (if built pre-1978), and Window Guard Notice are physically or digitally attached prior to signature collection.
3. Fund Transfer & Escrow Setup: Collect the security deposit via verified funds and deposit it into the designated New York banking institution within the statutory timeframe; provide Tenant with the bank name and address receipt.
4. Execution and Delivery: Have all adult tenants and the Landlord (or authorized managing agent) sign and date the document. Deliver one fully executed duplicate copy to the Tenant either in person or via certified electronic means.