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How to file — Rent stabilization status verification

Landlord (initial demand) → NYS HCR (escalation)

Deadline

No statutory deadline — but request before your renewal window opens

NYC Admin Code §§ 26-501 et seq. and 9 NYCRR § 2528.3 require annual registration; tenants are entitled to a copy of the registration history at any time.

How to submit

MAIL

Send the demand to your landlord by certified mail

Address it to the landlord/managing agent named on your lease or rent receipts. Use certified mail, return receipt requested. Keep the green card.

ONLINE

NYS HCR Rent Connect — request rent history (if landlord refuses)

https://hcr.ny.gov/rent-connect

NYS HCR will mail you the apartment's registration history (DHCR Rent Registration Records) within 4–6 weeks. Free.

MAIL

NYS HCR — escalation by mail

NYS Homes and Community Renewal
Office of Rent Administration
92-31 Union Hall Street, 6th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11433

PHONE

NYS HCR Rent Info Line

Phone: (718) 739-6400

What to attach

Copy of your current lease (and any prior leases you have)
Most recent rent receipts
Building address (and BBL if you have it from nyc.gov ACRIS)

Pro tips

Pull the building's certificate of occupancy and J-51/421-a tax-benefit history before you write — those filings often re-stabilize "deregulated" units.
If your building has 6+ units AND was built before 1974, the presumption is rent stabilization — make the landlord prove otherwise.
Even if landlord ignores you, the letter creates a paper trail HCR will credit later.

311 path: 311 → "Tenant Rights" → "Rent Stabilization"

Citations the letter relies on

NYC Rent Stabilization Law (NYC Admin Code §§ 26-501 et seq.) — NYC Administrative Code §§ 26-501 to 26-520 (Rent Stabilization Law of 1969, as amended by HSTPA 2019)
9 NYCRR § 2522.5 — 9 NYCRR § 2522.5 (Rent Stabilization Code — vacancy and renewal leases; rider required)
9 NYCRR § 2528.3 — 9 NYCRR § 2528.3 (Rent Registration — annual filing with DHCR/HCR)
HSTPA 2019 Part F — Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, Part F (Rent overcharge — 6-year look-back; treble damages)
NY RPL § 226-c — NY Real Property Law § 226-c (Notice of rent increase / non-renewal — HSTPA)

Tenant Defender is research and self-help. Not legal advice. For complex eviction or harassment cases, contact a NY tenant attorney or Met Council on Housing (311 → tenant rights).