guest agreement and rent increase regulation HELP (sublets, apartments)

[jon251]

Hi all,

I have been living in an apartment for 3 years now, and I actually don't have a lease, but a guest agreement that is renewed every year.

My question is : Is the owner of the apartment allowed to increase the amount of the rent as much as he want every year? Or is there a regulation such as 1% per year or something?

Because every year he is increasing the rent quite much...

Thank you for you answers, that would be really helpful because I have to say yes, no, or talk about the new contract this week.

[Harlem resident]

Is it rent stabilized ? To find out, call DHCR and use the name of the primary tenant. The rent history is sent to this address so it won't work if you do not get mail there.

There is a limit on how much can be charged in a stabilized place and sublets need to be run through the landlord and approved.

No idea what a "guest" agreement is but it does suggest that your "landlord" - the primary tenant - is scamming both you and the building's owner. Unless it is a co-op but you do not say.

[Cida]

What the hell is a guest agreement?

[Harlem resident]

Originally Posted by Cida

What the hell is a guest agreement?

I thought it was just me.

[Ms. Tarabotti]

Originally Posted by Cida

What the hell is a guest agreement?

Originally Posted by Harlem resident

I thought it was just me.

A sublet? Legal or illegal? You can stay here as a guest but you need to pay me rent? Who knows?

[Henna]

Maybe it's called a "guest agreement" because it's actually an illegal apartment and Landlord thinks he's being clever by called it that instead of a lease? Or LL thinks calling it a guest agreement will get him out of paying taxes on income from a rental unit?

In any case, it sounds like it could be an illegal unit.

The only times rents are regulated in NYC are when they fall under rent stabilization/control. It doesn't sound like yours is rent stabilized but I guess it couldn't hurt to check. Btw, if it's in a house or building with fewer than six units, it's most likely not stabilized.

Rent Stabilization:

In NYC, rent stabilized apartments are generally those apartments in buildings of six or more units built between February 1, 1947 and January 1, 1974.

Tenants in buildings of six or more units built before February 1, 1947 and who moved in after June 30, 1971 are also covered by rent stabilization.

A third category of rent stabilized apartments covers buildings with three or more apartments constructed or extensively renovated since 1974 with special tax benefits. Generally, these buildings are stabilized only while the tax benefits continue.