NYC Rent Guidelines Board Vacancy Rent Calculator

Calculator Form

Legal regulated rent

Preferred rent, if any

Calculation base

Guideline order

Lease term

Term length in months

Custom guideline rate percent

Extra authorized vacancy rate percent

Approved improvement addition

Approved capital improvement charge

Other lawful monthly surcharge

Monthly credit or concession

Security deposit months

Rounding

Lease notes

Formula Used

Base rent = selected legal regulated rent or preferred rent. Guideline increase = base rent × guideline rate. Extra vacancy increase = base rent × extra authorized vacancy rate. Estimated monthly rent = base rent + guideline increase + extra vacancy increase + approved additions - credits.

Full term total = estimated monthly rent × term months. Security estimate = estimated monthly rent × selected security deposit months.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the current legal regulated rent from the lease or rent history.
Add the preferred rent only when the apartment has one.
Select the guideline order that matches the lease start date.
Choose a one year or two year lease term.
Add only approved monthly charges and known credits.
Press calculate to show the result above the form.
Use the CSV or PDF button to save the result.

Example Data Table

Scenario	Base Rent	Order	Term	Rate	Additions	Credit	Estimated Rent
Current one year lease	$2,500.00	#57	One year	3.00%	$0.00	$0.00	$2,575.00
Current two year lease	$2,500.00	#57	Two years	4.50%	$35.00	$0.00	$2,647.50
Prior order review	$2,500.00	#56	One year	2.75%	$0.00	$50.00	$2,518.75

Understanding vacancy rent

A vacancy rent estimate starts with the prior lawful rent. For a stabilized apartment, that number is usually the legal regulated rent shown on the lease or rent history. A preferred rent may also appear. It can be lower than the legal rent. The choice matters because many lease offers depend on the lawful base and the active rule period.

Why the guideline matters

New York City orders use dates. Each order covers leases that begin inside a defined year. The calculator lets you select a current order, a prior order, or a custom rate. This is useful when you review an older lease, a pending lease, or a notice with special facts. It also separates a one year term from a two year term. A longer term may use a different percentage.

What the result means

The result is an estimate, not legal advice. It shows the selected base rent, the guideline increase, any approved monthly additions, any credits, and the estimated new monthly rent. It also shows the full term total. This helps tenants compare a lease offer with a clear worksheet. It helps owners check math before issuing paperwork.

Using legal and preferred rent

Enter the legal regulated rent first. Add the preferred rent only when the apartment has one. Choose which value should act as the calculation base. Add only approved monthly items. Examples include lawful improvement adjustments, approved capital improvement charges, or recurring surcharges. Use credits for money that should reduce the monthly charge.

Careful checks before signing

Vacancy rules changed after 2019. The old automatic vacancy bonus is not the normal method now. A guideline can apply only when the order allows it. Also, not every extra charge belongs inside rent. Keep copies of leases, riders, rent histories, and written notices. Compare every number with the lease start date. If the offered rent seems high, ask the owner for the calculation. Tenants can also request records from the state housing agency. This calculator gives a clean estimate. It does not decide disputes.

When to seek help

A rent history may reveal missing details. Ask a qualified tenant group, attorney, or housing counselor when records conflict or an increase is unexplained clearly.

FAQs

What is a vacancy rent calculation?

It estimates the rent for a new tenant after a prior tenant leaves. For a stabilized unit, the starting point is usually the lawful rent record, plus any allowed guideline and approved adjustments.

Does this calculator add an automatic vacancy bonus?

No. It assumes no automatic vacancy bonus. You can enter an extra rate only when you have a lawful written reason to include one.

Which rent should I enter first?

Enter the legal regulated rent first. Add preferred rent only if the lease or rider lists one. Then select the correct base for your estimate.

Can I use this for older leases?

Yes. Select a prior order or use the custom rate field. Match the rate to the lease start date and the rules that applied then.

Are improvement charges always allowed?

No. Enter only approved and documented charges. Improvement and capital charges can have strict rules, limits, notices, and calculation methods.

Why does the lease term matter?

One year and two year leases can use different guideline percentages. The term also changes the full term total shown in the result.

Is the result legal advice?

No. It is a math estimate. Use it to review numbers, then compare the result with the lease, rent history, and official records.

What should I do if the rent looks too high?

Ask for the owner’s calculation and supporting records. Tenants may also request rent history records and seek help from a housing counselor or attorney.