Rochester City Council has introduced legislation to adopt New York state's Good Cause Eviction Law.

It prohibits landlords from hiking rent by more than 3%, or 1.5% of the consumer price index, without request and evidence of a need. It also further limits the legal reasons for eviction, requiring what the name implies — "good cause."

Under the law, landlords would be required to prove one of the following in order to legally evict or deny a lease renewal:

• Non-payment of rent, provided the unpaid rent did not result from an unreasonable rent increase
• Violation of a substantial obligation of the lease
• Nuisance on the property committed or allowed by the tenant
• Interference with the comfort or safety of the landlord or other occupants
• Occupancy violates or causes a violation of the law
• Use of the property for an illegal purpose
• Unreasonably refusing landlord access
• Recovering possession of the unit for the personal use and principal residence of the landlord
• Demolition or withdrawal of the unit from the housing market
• Tenant refusal to agree to reasonable changes or reasonable rent increases

The legislation also includes carve-outs, which create exemptions for the following:

• Units owned by landlords who own no more than 10 rental units in New York state
• Units exceeding 245% of the fair market rent for Monroe County
• Buildings for which a certificate of occupancy was issued on or after January 1, 2009
• Units already subject to local, state or federal rent regulations
• Owner-occupied buildings containing fewer than 10 units
• Manufactured homes located in manufactured home parks
• Units occupied as an incident to the tenant's job that is being lawfully terminated
• Hotel rooms and other transient uses
• Religious facilities or institutions; seasonal use units; units within hospitals; and dormitories

"My council colleagues and I are excited to move Good Cause Eviction through the legislative process, and we are committed to continuing open, good-faith conversations about the legislation with tenants, landlords and all Rochesterians," said City Council President Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr. "I believe, with due diligence and proper consideration, this legislation will help us build a Rochester of Safer Neighborhoods, Quality Housing and Equitable Access to Opportunity."

The legislation also includes a provision that requires that tenants be provided with detailed written notice of their rights under Good Cause Eviction at the signing of a lease, renewal of a lease, when increasing the rent and when seeking to evict. This provision would not go into effect until August 18, 2024.

Albany recently became the first city in the state to adopt the law.

Rochester City Council says the proposal won't be considered during June's meeting, which will allow time for public input. If passed, it will take effect immediately.