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Lease glossary

Rent stabilization

Rent stabilization is a form of rent regulation that allows increases each year but limits them to a set percentage and usually gives tenants a right to renew. New York City is the best-known example, where a board sets the allowed increases for about a million stabilized apartments.

Example

For leases starting between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, New York City’s Rent Guidelines Board allowed 3% on a one-year renewal and 4.5% on a two-year renewal. A stabilized apartment at $1,800 a month could renew at $1,854 for one year or $1,881 for two. The tenant chooses the term; the landlord cannot refuse to renew without a legal reason.

In a lease it looks like…

This renewal lease is offered under the Rent Stabilization Law. Tenant may choose a one-year term at $1,854 per month or a two-year term at $1,881 per month, and must return the signed renewal within 60 days.

By state

Stabilization is local: besides New York City, places such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC run their own programs, with different caps, exemptions and renewal rules.

Rent increase notice by state

Plain English, not legal advice. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.