Pet Laws

I live in a rent stabilized apartment. Do I have the right to have a pet?

If you live in a multiple dwelling, a building with three or more residential units, the “Pet Law” section of the NYC Administrative Code (TITLE 27 - CHAPTER 2) clearly states that you may have a pet so long as:

• Your lease does not prohibit pets in your building.

• Pets are not prohibited by the multiple dwelling laws, housing or city health codes such as apartments operated by the NYC Housing Authority.

• You did not hide knowledge of your pet for the first 3 months (90 days) that it was with your family, from on-site employees, the owner, and building or management personnel.

• Your landlord did not take action to prohibit you from keeping your pet within that three month (90 day) period.

• Your pet does not cause damage or create a frequent nuisance, health or safety problem to other tenants in your building or any adjacent dwelling.

If your landlord decides to modify the policy to prohibit pets after allowing them, or if a new landlord tells you to give up your pet, you may decline to do so because your pet predates the landlord’s new no-pet policy thus making it unenforceable.  The landlord may not charge you any fee associated with your pet since the Rent Stabilization Code (RSC) does not permit it.  The Rent Stabilization Law restricts the amount of rent you may be charged in a rent-stabilized apartment and accordingly the legal regulated rent can only be increased on grounds specified in the Rent Stabilization Code (RSC).

Please note that disabled persons may not be refused a pet under any circumstances if it is deemed essential to their well-being, for example, a guide dog for those who are blind and deaf.

For more information call Central Astoria LDC at: 718-204-1056.