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Rent Regulation
Rent Stabilized Building Management for NYC Landlords.
Managing rent-stabilized units requires specialized knowledge of DHCR rules, Rent Guidelines Board orders, and HSTPA requirements. Ora handles the complexity so you stay compliant and protected.
Understanding Rent Stabilization
Navigating NYC's Rent Regulation Rules
Rent stabilization affects roughly one million apartments in New York City. For landlords, it means navigating a complex system of allowable rent increases, mandatory registrations, strict lease renewal timelines, and detailed recordkeeping requirements. The 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) significantly tightened these rules — eliminating vacancy deregulation, capping MCI increases, and restricting how preferential rents can be adjusted.
Errors in rent stabilization management can lead to overcharge claims, DHCR complaints, and significant financial liability. Ora maintains meticulous records of legal and preferential rents, files all DHCR registrations on time, and ensures every lease renewal, vacancy increase, and capital improvement follows current regulations.
Whether you're dealing with an existing stabilized portfolio or navigating a building acquisition with regulated units, our team provides the specialized oversight that rent-stabilized buildings demand.
What's Included
Rent Stabilization Management Services
DHCR Filings & Registrations
We handle annual apartment registrations with DHCR, ensuring every stabilized unit is properly filed with accurate legal rent figures, tenant information, and allowable increases.
Legal Rent Tracking
We maintain detailed records of legal regulated rents, preferential rents, and all allowable adjustments for every stabilized unit — providing a complete rent history for audits, sales, and disputes.
Lease Renewals & Notices
Renewal offers are prepared and delivered within DHCR-mandated timelines, with correct Rent Guidelines Board increases applied and proper documentation of any preferential rent terms.
MCI & IAI Management
From identifying eligible improvements to managing DHCR applications and tracking approval status, we oversee the full Major Capital Improvement and Individual Apartment Improvement process.
HSTPA Compliance
The 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act fundamentally changed rent stabilization rules. We ensure your building operates in full compliance with current regulations around vacancy, deregulation, and rent increases.
Vacancy & Turnover Management
When stabilized units turn over, we manage the process from legal rent calculation and allowable vacancy increases to apartment preparation and re-leasing — all within the current regulatory framework.
Who This Is For
For NYC Landlords With Regulated Units
Ora works with landlords who own rent-stabilized buildings up to 25 units in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Whether your building is fully stabilized or has a mix of regulated and market-rate units, we provide the specialized management these properties require — from pre-war walk-ups in Upper West Side to classic brownstones in Park Slope and six-story buildings in Williamsburg.
Rent stabilization management is included in our rental management plans and can also be combined with our leasing services for a complete tenant management solution.
FAQ
Common Questions About Rent Stabilization
How do I know if my building has rent-stabilized units?
Buildings built before 1974 with six or more units are generally subject to rent stabilization, though units that were legally deregulated before the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019 may be exempt. You can check your building's registration status through DHCR (Division of Housing and Community Renewal) or contact Ora for a review of your property's rent regulation status.
What are the annual rent registration requirements for stabilized units?
Owners of rent-stabilized buildings must file an annual apartment registration with DHCR, typically between April and July. The registration includes the legal regulated rent for each stabilized unit, any allowable increases, and tenant information. Late filings can result in penalties and complications during lease renewals or vacancy. Ora handles the full filing process on behalf of our managed buildings.
What happens when a rent-stabilized tenant vacates?
Under HSTPA, vacancy deregulation has been eliminated — units remain stabilized regardless of rent level. Owners are entitled to a vacancy increase as set by the Rent Guidelines Board, but the unit stays regulated. Preferential rent resets to the legal rent upon vacancy if properly documented. Ora tracks preferential and legal rents for every unit and manages the full turnover process to ensure compliance.
What is the difference between legal rent and preferential rent?
The legal regulated rent is the maximum rent an owner can charge under the Rent Guidelines Board's approved increases. Preferential rent is any amount below the legal rent that a landlord agrees to charge. Under HSTPA, preferential rents can only be raised to the legal rent at vacancy, not during a lease renewal. Proper documentation of both figures is critical for compliance and future rent calculations.
How do Major Capital Improvements (MCIs) work under current rules?
MCIs allow landlords to increase rents across all units to recover the cost of building-wide improvements like new windows, boilers, or roofs. Under HSTPA, MCI increases are capped at 2% per year, the amortization period was extended to 12 years (for buildings with 35+ units) or 12.5 years, and increases expire after 30 years. Ora manages the full MCI application process with DHCR, from contractor bids to filing and approval.
Need Help With Rent-Stabilized Units?
We'll review your building's registration status and compliance — no commitment required.
Get in Touch
Looking for broader compliance support? View Compliance Services
Let's Talk
About Your Property.
Office: +1(212) 994-4908
Email: info@managedbyora.com
Address: 401 Park Ave S, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016