Housing & Rent · Surprise rank #76
62+ or Disabled and Need to Move? NY Law Can Let You End Certain Leases Early Without Future Rent
New York Real Property Law §227-a lets qualifying older adults and people with disabilities terminate certain residential leases early when moving to specified family, care or subsidized-housing arrangements.
Who
Tenants age 62 or older, tenants who turn 62 during the lease and qualifying people with disabilities, including specified spouse/dependent situations.
What to do
Start here: Give the landlord written notice with the required supporting documentation. The termination date is generally no earlier than 30 days after the next rent-payment date following notice.
Eligibility: The move must be to a destination covered by the statute, such as certain family residences, adult-care/health facilities or qualifying subsidized housing, and required documentation must be provided.
What you get
A qualifying tenant can terminate the lease and avoid rent liability after the statutory termination date.
Benefit: Release from future rent obligations after a valid §227-a termination.
Possible value: Potentially several months of remaining rent.
Good to know
Important: The statute has detailed documentation requirements. Moving to family generally requires physician certification and a notarized family statement, and the planned family stay must satisfy the statutory duration rule.
Availability: Active legal right
Why people miss it: Tenants may pay months of rent after a health-related or senior-housing move because they assume the lease cannot be ended early.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026