A New York lease, one question at a time
Made for owners of one or two rentals who don't have a property manager. Every question has a short explanation, a "What does this mean?" button, and a safe answer if you're not sure. You can't accidentally go over New York's limits: the builder checks the deposit and the late fee as you type.
New York rules the lease follows
- Security deposit: at most one month's rent, held in trust and not mixed with your own money; offer a move-in inspection; return it with an itemized list within 14 days after move-out (GOL § 7-108, § 7-103).
- Late fees: only after 5 days, and no more than $50 or 5% (RPL § 238-a).
- Disclosures in the lease: sprinkler system in bold (RPL § 231-a), flood history and risk (§ 231-b) and the Good Cause notice (§ 231-c).
- Renewals and increases: not renewing, or raising the rent 5% or more, needs 30, 60 or 90 days' written notice (RPL § 226-c). Make that notice here.
What the lease covers
- Parties, every tenant and other occupants
- Fixed term or month-to-month, new lease or renewal
- Rent, due date and how to pay
- Late fee within RPL § 238-a ($50 or 5%, after 5 days)
- Security deposit up to one month (GOL § 7-108), inspection and 14-day return
- Utilities, appliances, parking and storage
- Pets, smoking, subletting
- Repairs, snow and yard care, entry notice
- End of lease, renewal and 226-c notice
- Sprinkler disclosure in bold (RPL § 231-a)
- Optional guarantor page
- Signature blocks for landlord and every tenant
Pages we attach, when they apply
- Federal lead-based paint disclosure: buildings built before 1978 (or if you're not sure)
- Flood history and risk disclosure: every NY lease (RPL § 231-b)
- Good Cause Eviction Law notice: every NY initial and renewal lease, even if exempt (RPL § 231-c)
- Security deposit notice: bank name and address, 14-day return
- NYC fee disclosure (FARE Act): NYC, signed before the lease
- NYC lead paint notice, child under six: NYC buildings built before 1960
- NYC bedbug history: NYC new leases
- NYC window guard notice, smoking policy, allergen notice: NYC buildings with 3 or more apartments
The printed lease is clean: no logo, no ads, no website text on the pages. Each attached page starts on a new page with its own signature lines.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
$4.99 per lease. Complete your lease, check the preview, and download the finished, print-ready PDF with all the attached pages. One-time payment, no account and no subscription.
How much security deposit can I charge in New York?
No more than one month's rent, and no extra "last month's rent" on top (General Obligations Law § 7-108). The lease builder stops you if the deposit is higher and tells you the most you can charge.
What late fee can I charge in New York?
No late fee until the rent is more than 5 days late, and no more than $50 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is less (Real Property Law § 238-a). The builder works out the maximum for your rent.
Do I need the Good Cause notice if I'm a small landlord?
Yes. Real Property Law § 231-c requires the notice with every initial and renewal lease. If you're exempt (for example, 10 or fewer units), the notice says so and why. The builder fills it in.
Can I use it for a renewal?
Yes. Pick Renewal, enter the current lease dates and rent, and the new lease starts the day after the old one ends. If you made the first lease here on the same device, you can fill everything in from it.
Which disclosures are included?
The federal lead paint disclosure for older buildings, the New York flood disclosure, the sprinkler disclosure, the Good Cause notice and a security deposit notice, plus the New York City notices that apply to your building.
Is this legal advice?
No. LandlordSquare is a self-help document tool, not a law firm, and no attorney-client relationship is created. When in doubt, ask a licensed attorney.
Do you store my tenant's information?
No. The lease is built in your browser. Names, addresses and amounts you type are not sent to our server.
Landlord guides
Sources
Every rule is listed with its official source on our Legal sources page. Read October 25, 2026. Laws change; check the source before relying on it.