New York Rental Application Overview
New York is one of the most tenant-protective states for rental applications. Application fees are banned, credit/background check charges are capped at $20, criminal history screening is restricted, source of income discrimination is prohibited, and the state has extremely broad fair housing protections.
The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA) banned rental application fees in New York State. Landlords can only charge a maximum of $20 for the actual cost of a credit check and background check combined. This $20 cap applies even if the actual cost exceeds that amount. Landlords cannot charge any additional fees for processing, administrative costs, or application handling. If the applicant provides their own credit report, the landlord cannot charge anything.
Application fees BAN
Max application fee
Yes, with written co
Credit check
Significant restrict
Criminal bg check
40x monthly rent (NY
Income requirement
New York Tenant Screening Laws
Application Fee Rules
The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA) banned rental application fees in New York State. Landlords can only charge a maximum of $20 for the actual cost of a credit check and background check combined. This $20 cap applies even if the actual cost exceeds that amount. Landlords cannot charge any additional fees for processing, administrative costs, or application handling. If the applicant provides their own credit report, the landlord cannot charge anything.
Criminal Background Check Rules
New York has significant criminal history restrictions for housing. Under the Fair Chance for Housing Act (effective in 2025), landlords in New York City cannot inquire about criminal history until after making a conditional offer. Statewide, landlords cannot consider certain types of criminal records including sealed convictions, youthful offender adjudications, and certain marijuana-related offenses. The state also limits the lookback period for many offenses.
Credit Check Requirements
New York landlords can request a credit check but can only charge the applicant up to $20. If the applicant provides their own recent credit report, the landlord must accept it and cannot charge a fee. Adverse action notices are required under both state and federal law.
Fair Housing Protections
New York's Human Rights Law is one of the most comprehensive in the nation. It prohibits discrimination based on age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, sex, disability, marital status, source of income, and lawful occupation. New York City adds even more protections under the NYC Human Rights Law.
Source of Income Protection
New York prohibits discrimination based on source of income. Landlords cannot reject applicants solely because their income comes from Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Social Security, disability benefits, child support, alimony, or other lawful income sources. Violations can result in fair housing complaints and penalties.
New York Screening Criteria
New York landlords typically evaluate the following criteria when reviewing rental applications. All screening must comply with federal and New York state fair housing laws.
- Credit Score: Most New York landlords look for a credit score of 620 or higher, though thresholds vary by property and market
- Income: Gross monthly income of at least 40x monthly rent (NYC standard) or 2.5-3x elsewhere is the standard requirement
- Rental History: Positive references from previous landlords, no evictions, and a record of on-time rent payments
- Employment Verification: Stable employment or verifiable income sufficient to cover rent and living expenses
- Background Check: Subject to New York's restrictions on criminal history screening
How to Fill Out a New York Rental Application
Follow these steps to properly complete your New York rental application. Our template includes all sections required for New York-compliant tenant screening.
Provide Personal Information
Enter your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, email, and current address. Your SSN is required for the credit check and will be handled securely per New York data protection requirements.
Detail Your Rental History
List your current and previous addresses for the past 2-3 years, including landlord names and contact information, monthly rent, dates of tenancy, and reason for leaving. New York landlords will contact your previous landlords to verify this information.
Enter Employment and Income Details
Provide your employer's name, address, your position, length of employment, and gross monthly income. Include all income sources. Most New York landlords require income of at least 40x monthly rent (NYC standard) or 2.5-3x elsewhere.
Add References
Include 2-3 personal or professional references with their names, phone numbers, and your relationship. Let them know they may be contacted. Strong references can strengthen your application, especially if you have limited rental history.
Sign Authorization Forms
Review and sign the credit check authorization, background check consent, and FCRA disclosure. These are required by federal law before the landlord can access your consumer reports. The authorization is specific to this application and cannot be used for other purposes.
Submit with Supporting Documents
Attach copies of your photo ID, recent pay stubs, and any other requested documentation. New York has banned application fees. You may only be charged up to $20 for credit/background check costs.
New York Rental Application Fees & Costs
Here's a breakdown of typical rental application costs in New York. Fees vary by landlord and screening service used.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | Banned (max $20 for credit/background check) |
| Credit Check | Landlord's expense |
| Background Check | Landlord's expense |
| Refundable? | N/A — no fee charged |
Sample New York Rental Application
Below is a preview of our New York-specific rental application. Your customized document will include all fields and disclosures required under New York law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
RENTAL APPLICATION
Tenant Screening Form
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name: [Legal Name]
Date of Birth: [DOB] SSN: [XXX-XX-XXXX]
Phone: [Phone] Email: [Email]
RENTAL HISTORY
Current Address: [New York Address]
Landlord: [Name] Rent: $[Amount]
EMPLOYMENT & INCOME
Employer: [Company]
Monthly Income: $[Amount]
AUTHORIZATION
I authorize the landlord to obtain my credit report, conduct a background check, and verify the information provided in this application in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and New York state law...
New York Rental Application FAQ
Answers to common questions about rental applications, tenant screening, and landlord requirements in New York.
Official New York Resources
Use these official resources to learn more about New York tenant screening laws, fair housing requirements, and your rights as a landlord or tenant.
New York State Division of Human Rights
Fair housing enforcement and discrimination complaints
NY Attorney General — Tenant Rights
Tenant rights information and complaint filing
HUD Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Federal fair housing laws, complaints, and guidance
FTC Fair Credit Reporting Act
Federal credit reporting rights for tenants
Other New York Documents
Need other rental and lease documents for New York? We offer state-specific templates for every type of landlord-tenant document.
Create your New York Rental Application in under 5 minutes.
Answer a few questions and download a New York-compliant document, ready for the state agency.