Bedford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 130 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 130-8
Nonrenewals
Operative Text
It is understood that the owners shall not be required to renew leases of existing tenants, but if a lease renewal is denied by the owner without a bona fide basis as herein set forth, the rent for any new tenant in the apartment shall be the same as that which the old tenant would have paid if the tenant had renewed. A "bona fide nonrenewal" shall be a nonrenewal where the owner has commenced two (2) or more bona fide summary proceedings for nonpayment of rent or the owner has an objective basis for concluding that a tenant has become a nuisance or danger to the owner or other tenants in the building, such as confirmed police reports, convictions or similar evidence. The basis for considering a nonrenewal bona fide or not may be determined in a local court or other court of competent jurisdiction.
Under Bedford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 130 § 130-8, landlords are not obligated to renew a tenant's lease, but the decision not to renew carries financial consequences if it lacks a legitimate basis. A 'bona fide nonrenewal' is defined as one supported by documented grounds—such as two or more nonpayment proceedings or objective evidence that a tenant poses a nuisance or danger—and without such grounds, the rent charged to any incoming tenant is capped at what the departing tenant would have paid. Whether a nonrenewal qualifies as bona fide can be adjudicated in a local court or other court of competent jurisdiction.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 130 § 130-8, operators who choose not to renew a tenancy generally document their basis carefully, since a nonrenewal unsupported by qualifying grounds—such as two or more commenced nonpayment proceedings or objective evidence of nuisance or danger—triggers a rent restriction on the unit for the next tenancy. Compliant operators typically retain records such as confirmed police reports, court filings, or conviction records that could substantiate a bona fide nonrenewal if the matter is ever reviewed by a court. Maintaining thorough documentation before and at the time of any nonrenewal decision is a standard practice under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 130-8 of Bedford's Code of Ordinances provides tenants with a meaningful protection: if an owner declines to renew a lease without a qualifying bona fide basis, the rent that can be charged to the next occupant of that unit is limited to what the departing tenant would have paid. Tenants who believe a nonrenewal lacked a legitimate basis—such as the required nonpayment proceedings or documented evidence of nuisance—may raise that issue before a local court or other court of competent jurisdiction as described in the provision. Consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Bedford's rent regulations can help tenants understand the options available to them under this section.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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