The Village of Croton-on-Hudson’s “good cause eviction” protections for renters have taken effect. The Board of Trustees adopted Local Law 1 of 2025 at their January 8, 2025, meeting. The law became effective upon filing with the New York State Secretary of State on February 7, 2025. The law prohibits landlords, covered by its provisions, from evicting tenants or not renewing a lease unless there is “good cause” to do so.
With the enactment of “Good Cause Eviction,” lessors will only be permitted to terminate leases for infractions such as:
- Non-Payment of Rent: Tenant has not paid rent, unless it is due to an unreasonable rent increase. Typically, the annual rent increase cap is the lower of 10% or 5% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate. For example, in 2024, the CPI was 3.3%, so the annual rent increase cap is 8.3%. The New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal publishes this information annually.
- Lease Violation: Tenant has broken the lease terms or landlord’s rules.
- Nuisance or Damage: Tenant has caused a disturbance, damaged the property, or interfered with others.
- Vacate Order: A government agency has ordered the home to be vacated.
- Illegal Activity: Tenant is using the home for illegal purposes.
- Access Denial: Tenant has unreasonably denied the landlord access.
- Landlord Occupancy: The landlord or a family member plan to move into the home.
- Demolition or Off-Market: The landlord plans to demolish or take the home off the market.
- Lease Modification Refusal: Tenant refuses to agree to reasonable lease changes with proper notice.
As of April 20, 2024, Good Cause Eviction is in effect in New York City pursuant to § 212 of the New York State Real Property Law. Other villages, towns, or cities that wish to opt-in to the GCE law must pass a local law pursuant to § 213 of the NYS Real Property Law.
Currently, nine other municipalities across New York State have opted into “good cause” eviction. These include the cities of Albany, Beacon, Hudson, Kingston, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and Rochester, and the villages of Nyack and New Paltz.
Good Cause does not cover affordable housing, rent-stabilized, or rent-controlled apartments, which have separate regulations. Exemptions exist for newly constructed buildings (for a limited period), co-ops, condos, sublets, and small owner-occupied properties.
“The enactment of Good Cause law protects responsible tenants by giving them the security to stay in their homes. It balances the needs of tenants with the rights of property owners, ensuring that landlords and tenants who are acting in good faith are protected,” said Mayor Brian Pugh.
“Housing is a human right. The Good Cause Eviction law helps provide individuals and families with the stability they deserve,” said Theo Oshiro, Croton-on-Hudson resident and Co-Executive Director of Make the Road NY, a grassroots advocacy organization with a mission to build the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice. “This law will protect tenants from price gouging or retaliatory eviction for making a complaint. We all have a right to safe housing.”
Additional information on the local law can be found on the Village’s projects and initiatives page at: www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/goodcause
