Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption

Housing | NYC Department of Finance (DOF); NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)

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SCRIE helps eligible senior citizens 62 and older stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. Tenants can keep paying what they were paying even if their landlord increases the rent. The landlord gets a property tax credit that covers the difference between the new and original rent amount.

Heads Up

  • Only senior citizens who live in certain rentals or developments can qualify for SCRIE.
  • Renew on time to keep paying the same amount of rent in the future as you do now.
  • You are not required to file taxes to qualify for SCRIE.
  • You do not need your landlord's permission to apply.
  • The NYC Rent Freeze program also includes the (https://access.nyc.gov/programs/disability-rent-increase-exemption-drie/) Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) for people with disabilities.

    • Eligibility

    To be eligible for SCRIE, you should be able to answer "yes" to all of these questions:

  • Are you 62 or older?
  • Is your name on the lease (or the share certificate if you live in a Mitchell-Lama development)?
  • Is your combined household income $50,000 or less in a year?
  • Do you spend more than one-third of your monthly income on rent?
  • Do you live in NYC in one of these types of housing?
  • a rent stabilized apartment
  • a rent controlled apartment
  • a rent regulated hotel or single room occupancy unit
  • a Mitchell-Lama development
  • a Limited Dividend Housing Company development
  • a Redevelopment Company development
  • a Housing Development Fund Company development

    Required Documents

    To apply for SCRIE, you will need copies of documents that prove:

  • Who you are (and your age)
  • Where you live
  • You need to prove your rent which includes prior and current documents or leases.
  • Income
  • This includes your income and the income of all household members who lived in your apartment for the year before you submit your application. For example, if you apply in 2023, you will need income information for 2022.

    How to Apply

    Apply through the Department of Finance (DOF) if you live in a:

  • rent stabilized apartment
  • rent controlled apartment
  • rent regulated hotel or single room occupancy unitIf you are applying for SCRIE for the first time, you can apply online through the Department of Finance (DOF) (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/tools/nyc-tap.page) . You can also (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/finance/jump/dof-appointments.html) schedule a virtual appointment (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/rentfreeze/downloads/pdf/scrie/scrie-initial-application-only.pdf) to apply for SCRIE. To apply by mail, (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/hpd/downloads/pdfs/services/scrie-application.pdf) download the DOF SCRIE application (mailto:[email protected]) . Mail your completed and signed application along with the supporting documents to:Rent Freeze Program – SCRIEP.O. Box 3179Union, NJ 07083Apply through the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) if you live in a:
  • Mitchell-Lama development
  • Redevelopment Company development
  • HDFC
  • federally-assisted 213 co-op Download and complete the HPD SCRIE application. Email your completed HPD SCRIE application to [email protected] or mail it to:HPD SCRIE Unit100 Gold Street, 7th floorNew York, New York, 10038

    Online

    Complete the online application through the Department of Finance (DOF) (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/tools/nyc-tap.page) if you are applying for SCRIE for the first time.You can get help applying to SCRIE by (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/finance/jump/dof-appointments.html) scheduling a virtual appointment with DOF.

    By Mail

    In Person

    Find a center

    Get Help

  • Visit SCRIE website (http://nyc.gov/rentfreeze) to learn more about this program.
  • (http://www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/about/contact-by-email/contact-scrie.page) Email SCRIE (https://www.nyc.gov/site/mayorspeu/index.page) for more information
  • Call 311 (mailto:[email protected]) and ask for a SCRIE specialist or 212-639-9675 (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/scrie-drie.page) if you have a hard time hearing
  • Call 929-252-7242 to get one-on-one help with applying for DHE from an NYC Public Engagement Unit Specialist.For HPD-supervised SCRIE:
  • Email [email protected]
  • Visit HPD's website to learn more.
  • Call at 212-863-8494 for any questions.

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