Which disclosures must a New York lease include?
Some New York disclosures apply statewide; others apply only in New York City. The core set:
| Disclosure | Governing Authority | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Lead-based paint hazard + EPA pamphlet | Title X, 42 U.S.C. § 4852d (federal) | Housing built before 1978 |
| Sprinkler system notice | Real Prop. Law § 231-b | All residential leases |
| Security deposit bank name & address | Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-103 | Buildings with 6 or more units |
| Bedbug infestation history (prior year) | NYC Admin. Code / HPD form | New York City units |
| Window guard notice (children 10 or younger) | NYC Health Code § 131.15 | New York City units |
| Lead paint / young-child notice | NYC Local Law 1 of 2004 | NYC units, pre-1960 (or 1960–1978 with known lead) |
Statewide disclosures: lead paint and the sprinkler notice
Lead-based paint (federal): For any dwelling built before 1978, the landlord must provide the signed lead-warning disclosure, any known records or reports, and the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.
Sprinkler system notice (Real Prop. Law § 231-b): Every residential lease must include a conspicuous notice stating whether there is a maintained and operative automatic sprinkler system in the dwelling. If there is one, the notice must state the last dates of maintenance and inspection.
The security deposit bank disclosure (§ 7-103)
For buildings with six or more units, security deposits must be held in a New York interest-bearing bank account, and the landlord must disclose to the tenant the name and address of the banking institution and the amount of the deposit (Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-103). The landlord may retain a 1% annual administrative fee and must pay the remaining interest to the tenant. Deposits may never be commingled with the landlord's personal funds. For the one-month deposit cap and the 14-day itemized return that apply statewide, see our New York lease agreement requirements guide.
New York City disclosures: bedbugs, window guards, and lead
New York City imposes several local disclosures on top of the statewide set:
- Bedbug history: A New York landlord must give the tenant the state DHCR bedbug infestation-history notice (covering the prior year) with each vacancy lease, and NYC owners of buildings with three or more units must also file an annual Bed Bug Report with HPD (Local Law 69 of 2017) and distribute it to tenants.
- Window guards (NYC Health Code § 131.15): Leases must include a conspicuous window-guard notice; landlords must install guards where a child 10 or younger lives, or on a tenant's request.
- Lead paint (Local Law 1 of 2004): For pre-1960 units (or 1960–1978 units with known lead) where a child under six lives, the landlord must provide an annual notice and inquiry and remediate hazards.
Verify the current NYC HPD bedbug and window-guard forms before use — the prescribed forms are updated periodically, and other localities may have their own notices.
What happens if a New York landlord skips a required disclosure?
Consequences vary by disclosure:
- Sprinkler notice: Omitting the § 231-b notice leaves the lease non-compliant with a state mandate.
- Deposit bank notice: Failing to hold the deposit properly or disclose the bank can expose the landlord to the tenant's damages and loss of the right to commingle.
- NYC notices: Missing the bedbug, window-guard, or lead disclosures can trigger city penalties and, for lead and window guards, significant liability if a child is harmed.
- Federal lead paint: Violations carry civil and, in egregious cases, criminal penalties plus tenant damages.
Managing rentals in more than one state? Compare New York's list with our California and Texas disclosure checklists, and see the universal baseline in What Every Residential Lease Agreement Must Include.
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Create your New York lease agreement →Frequently asked questions
What disclosures are required in a New York lease?
Statewide, a New York lease must include a sprinkler-system notice (Real Property Law § 231-b) and, for buildings with six or more units, written notice of the bank holding the security deposit (General Obligations Law § 7-103). Federal law requires a lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing. New York City adds bedbug, window-guard, and lead-paint disclosures.
Does New York require a bedbug disclosure?
In New York City, yes. NYC landlords must give tenants an annual notice disclosing the building's bedbug infestation history for the prior year using the HPD form. Requirements outside NYC vary, so verify your locality's rules.
What is the New York sprinkler disclosure?
Real Property Law § 231-b requires every residential lease to include a conspicuous notice stating whether the dwelling has a maintained and operative automatic sprinkler system, and if so, the dates of the last maintenance and inspection.
Does a New York landlord have to disclose where the security deposit is held?
For buildings with six or more units, yes. The landlord must hold the deposit in a New York interest-bearing account and disclose the bank's name and address and the amount deposited (General Obligations Law § 7-103).
What lead and window-guard disclosures does New York City require?
NYC requires a window-guard notice in the lease (Health Code § 131.15), with guards installed where a child 10 or younger lives or on request, and a lead-paint notice and annual inquiry under Local Law 1 of 2004 for qualifying pre-1978 units where a child under six lives.
Official sources
Primary statutes and official government references for this guide. Statutes change — always confirm against the current official text before you act.