N.Y. Real Property Law Section 235-F
Unlawful restrictions on occupancy

1.

As used in this section, the terms:

(a)

“Tenant” means a person occupying or entitled to occupy a residential rental premises who is either a party to the lease or rental agreement for such premises or is a statutory tenant pursuant to the emergency housing rent control law or the city rent and rehabilitation law or article seven-c of the multiple dwelling law.

(b)

“Occupant” means a person, other than a tenant or a member of a tenant’s immediate family, occupying a premises with the consent of the tenant or tenants.

2.

It shall be unlawful for a landlord to restrict occupancy of residential premises, by express lease terms or otherwise, to a tenant or tenants or to such tenants and immediate family. Any such restriction in a lease or rental agreement entered into or renewed before or after the effective date of this section shall be unenforceable as against public policy.

3.

Any lease or rental agreement for residential premises entered into by one tenant shall be construed to permit occupancy by the tenant, immediate family of the tenant, one additional occupant, and dependent children of the occupant provided that the tenant or the tenant’s spouse occupies the premises as his primary residence.

4.

Any lease or rental agreement for residential premises entered into by two or more tenants shall be construed to permit occupancy by tenants, immediate family of tenants, occupants and dependent children of occupants; provided that the total number of tenants and occupants, excluding occupants’ dependent children, does not exceed the number of tenants specified in the current lease or rental agreement, and that at least one tenant or a tenants’ spouse occupies the premises as his primary residence.

5.

The tenant shall inform the landlord of the name of any occupant within thirty days following the commencement of occupancy by such person or within thirty days following a request by the landlord.

6.

No occupant nor occupant’s dependent child shall, without express written permission of the landlord, acquire any right to continued occupancy in the event that the tenant vacates the premises or acquire any other rights of tenancy; provided that nothing in this section shall be construed to reduce or impair any right or remedy otherwise available to any person residing in any housing accommodation on the effective date of this section which accrued prior to such date.

7.

Any provision of a lease or rental agreement purporting to waive a provision of this section is null and void.

8.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as invalidating or impairing the operation of, or the right of a landlord to restrict occupancy in order to comply with federal, state or local laws, regulations, ordinances or codes.

9.

Any person aggrieved by a violation of this section may maintain an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for:

(a)

an injunction to enjoin and restrain such unlawful practice;

(b)

actual damages sustained as a result of such unlawful practice; and

(c)

court costs.

Source: Section 235-F — Unlawful restrictions on occupancy, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/RPP/235-F (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Apr. 20, 2024).

220
Action for use and occupation 221
Rent due on life leases recoverable 222
When rent is apportionable 223
Rights where property or lease is transferred 223‑A
Remedies of lessee when possession is not delivered 223‑B
Retaliation by landlord against tenant 224
Attornment by tenant 225
Notice of action adverse to possession of tenant 226
Effect of renewal on sub-lease 226‑A
Effect of new lease on tenant’s right to remove fixtures or improvements 226‑B
Right to sublease or assign 226‑C
Notice of rent increase or non-renewal of residential tenancy 227
When tenant may surrender premises 227‑A
Termination of residential lease by senior citizens or individuals with a disability moving to a residence of a family member or entering... 227‑B
Termination of certain contracts by senior citizens 227‑C
Termination of residential lease by victims of domestic violence 227‑D
Discrimination based on domestic violence status 227‑E
Landlord duty to mitigate damages 227‑F
Denial on the basis of involvement in prior disputes prohibited 228
Termination of tenancies at will or by sufferance, by notice 229
Liability of tenant holding over after giving notice of intention to quit 230
Right of tenants to form, join or participate in tenants’ groups 231
Lease, when void 231‑A
Sprinkler system notice in residential leases 231‑B
Flood history and risk notice in residential leases 232
Duration of certain agreements in New York 232‑A
Notice to terminate monthly tenancy or tenancy from month to month in the city of New York 232‑B
Notification to terminate monthly tenancy or tenancy from month to month outside the city of New York 232‑C
Holding over by a tenant after expiration of a term longer than one month 233
Manufactured home parks 233‑A
Sale of manufactured home parks 233‑B
Manufactured home parks 233‑B*2
Campgrounds 234
Right to recover attorneys’ fees in actions or summary proceedings arising out of leases of residential property 234‑A
Unauthorized legal fees 235
Wilful violations 235‑A
Tenant right to offset payments and entitlement to damages in certain cases 235‑B
Warranty of habitability 235‑BB
Certificates of occupancy 235‑C
Unconscionable lease or clause 235‑D
Harassment 235‑E
Duty to provide a written receipt 235‑F
Unlawful restrictions on occupancy 235‑G
Electronic billing and/or payment of rent 235‑H
Waiver of right to bring a declaratory judgment action 235‑I
Unreasonable tenant fees for reproductions of keys 236
Assignment of lease of a deceased tenant 236‑A
Termination of lease of a deceased tenant 237
Discrimination in leases with respect to bearing of children 237‑A
Discrimination against children in dwelling houses and manufactured home parks 238
Agreements or contracts for privileges to deal with occupants of tenements, apartment houses or bungalow colonies 238‑A
Limitation on fees
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Apr. 20, 2024

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 235-F’s source at nysenate​.gov

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