Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Cohoes is a small city of approximately 17,000 residents in Albany County, situated at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. The city has a significant renter population, and many tenants here search for information about security deposit returns, eviction procedures, and what landlords are legally required to maintain. While Cohoes itself has no local tenant-protection ordinances beyond what New York State mandates, state law provides a robust set of rights that every renter should understand.
New York's Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA) significantly strengthened tenant rights across the state, including in cities like Cohoes. Key changes include longer notice periods before eviction, stricter limits on security deposits, and enhanced anti-retaliation protections. Renters in Cohoes benefit from these statewide standards even though they do not live in a rent-regulated building.
This guide summarizes the tenant rights laws most relevant to Cohoes renters. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing an eviction or a dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
No Rent Control or Rent Stabilization in Cohoes. Cohoes does not have a rent control or rent stabilization ordinance, and no buildings in the city are subject to New York City's Rent Stabilization Law or Rent Control Law. New York's Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 (ETPA) allows municipalities with a vacancy rate below 5% to opt into rent stabilization, but Cohoes has not made such a declaration. As a result, landlords in Cohoes may increase rent by any amount at the end of a lease term, provided they give proper advance notice as required by N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 226-c.
In practice, this means that once your current lease expires, your landlord may offer a renewal at a higher rent with the appropriate notice period (30, 60, or 90 days depending on tenancy length). You are not obligated to accept the new terms and may choose to vacate instead. There is no local body that reviews or approves rent increases in Cohoes.
Warranty of Habitability (N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-b). Every residential lease in New York includes an implied warranty of habitability. Landlords must maintain rental units in a safe, clean, and livable condition — including adequate heat, hot water, functioning plumbing, and freedom from pests. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs, a tenant may withhold rent, repair-and-deduct, or seek a rent reduction through Housing Court, depending on the severity of the condition.
Heat and Hot Water. New York State requires landlords to provide heat from October 1 through May 31. Indoor temperatures must reach at least 68°F when outdoor temperatures fall below 55°F during the day, and at least 55°F at night. Hot water must be available year-round at a minimum of 120°F (N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law § 79; N.Y. Multiple Residence Law § 173).
Notice Requirements Before Rent Increase or Non-Renewal (N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 226-c). Landlords must provide written notice before raising rent by 5% or more, or before declining to renew a lease. The required notice period is: 30 days if the tenant has lived in the unit less than one year; 60 days for tenancies of one to two years; and 90 days for tenancies of two years or more.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 223-b). A landlord may not evict, threaten to evict, raise rent, reduce services, or otherwise retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government agency about housing conditions, joining a tenant organization, or exercising any legal right. If a landlord takes adverse action within 60 days of protected activity, retaliation is presumed, and the landlord bears the burden of proving a legitimate reason for the action.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (N.Y. Real Prop. Acts. Law § 853). It is illegal for a landlord to change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or otherwise forcibly remove a tenant without a court order. Self-help eviction is a misdemeanor in New York, and a tenant who is unlawfully locked out may recover triple damages in a civil action.
Domestic Violence Protections (N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 227-c). Tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may terminate a lease early without penalty by providing the landlord with proper documentation and 30 days written notice.
One-Month Cap on Security Deposits. Under the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)), landlords in Cohoes — as throughout New York — may not collect more than one month's rent as a security deposit for most residential tenancies. Landlords may also not require any additional advance rent beyond the first month's payment at lease signing.
14-Day Return Deadline. After a tenancy ends and the tenant has vacated the unit and provided a forwarding address, the landlord must return the security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any lawful deductions — within 14 days (N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(e)). Allowable deductions include unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding. If a landlord fails to return the deposit and itemized statement within 14 days, the landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit and must return the full amount to the tenant (N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(e)). The tenant may sue in Small Claims Court for the return of the deposit plus court costs. Willful violations may entitle the tenant to additional damages.
Move-Out Inspection. Tenants have the right to request a pre-move-out inspection by the landlord no earlier than two weeks before the tenancy ends. The landlord must provide written notice of any deficiencies found, giving the tenant an opportunity to cure them before vacating (N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(b)).
Required Notices Before Filing in Court. Before a landlord can file an eviction proceeding in Cohoes, they must first serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice. For non-payment of rent, the landlord must serve a 14-day rent demand (N.Y. Real Prop. Acts. Law § 711(2)). For a month-to-month tenancy or holdover situation, the landlord must provide a notice to quit equal to the applicable notice period under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 226-c (30, 60, or 90 days depending on length of tenancy). For lease violations other than non-payment, a 10-day cure notice is typically required.
Court Filing and Hearing. If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a Summary Proceeding (eviction lawsuit) in Albany City Court or Cohoes City Court, depending on jurisdiction. The tenant will be served with a petition and notice of petition and must appear on the return date. Tenants have the right to present a defense and to request an adjournment to obtain legal counsel (N.Y. Real Prop. Acts. Law §§ 731–743).
Warrant of Eviction. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will issue a judgment and, after a brief stay period, a warrant of eviction. Only a New York City Marshal or Albany County Sheriff may physically remove a tenant pursuant to the warrant. The eviction may not occur on a Sunday or a legal holiday (N.Y. Real Prop. Acts. Law § 749).
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal. A landlord in Cohoes may not change the locks, remove the tenant's belongings, shut off heat or utilities, or take any other action to force a tenant out without going through the court process. Such conduct violates N.Y. Real Prop. Acts. Law § 853, constitutes a misdemeanor under N.Y. Penal Law, and exposes the landlord to civil liability for triple damages. A tenant who is unlawfully locked out may seek immediate relief in court.
COVID-Era Protections Have Ended. New York's pandemic-era eviction moratoriums have expired. Standard eviction procedures under the N.Y. Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law are fully in effect as of April 2026.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the applicability of any statute depends on the specific facts of your situation. Cohoes renters who need guidance on a specific landlord-tenant dispute should consult a licensed New York attorney or contact a local legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the completeness or current accuracy of the information presented here.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.