Upstate renters, this one’s for you. From lake-effect winters to century-old houses with “character,” you still get real rights. Good landlords? Chef’s kiss. Slumlords cutting corners in January? Not on our watch. Here’s your no-BS, keep-the-keys guide for ROC, BUF, and SYR.

1. Your Home Must Be Safe and Livable

• Heat, hot water, electricity, and working locks. Nonnegotiable—especially when the snowbanks are taller than your car.
• If it broke and you didn’t, your landlord fixes it.
• Lead paint is a real thing in older buildings. Rochester’s inspections tie to Certificates of Occupancy—lead-safe matters. Buffalo and Syracuse code can cite hazards, too.

2. Your Security Deposit Isn’t Their Slush Fund

• New York rule: 14 days to return your deposit after you move out, with an itemized list of any deductions.
• Max deposit is one month’s rent. “Nonrefundable cleaning fees”? Miss us with that.
• Do move-in and move-out walkthroughs with time-stamped photos or video.

3. Privacy Is a Right, Not a Request

• Landlords need reasonable advance notice to enter (emergencies excluded). Check your lease—24 hours is standard practice.
• “Quiet enjoyment” means no harassment, no utility shutoffs, no surprise showings in the middle of the Bills game.
• Put boundaries in writing and save copies.

4. Evictions Have Rules (and Lockouts Are Illegal)

• No changing locks, no tossing your stuff—ever. In NY, only a sheriff can execute a court-ordered eviction.
• Cases go through City Court: Buffalo City Court Housing Part, Rochester City Court Landlord–Tenant, Syracuse City Court. You get notice and a chance to be heard.
• Ask about emergency protections before you panic.

5. Rent Hikes Need Real Notice

• New York’s 30/60/90-day rule: bigger rent increases (5%+) or nonrenewals require more notice depending on how long you’ve lived there.
• Most upstate units aren’t rent-stabilized, but some local protections evolve—check if your city passed anything new.
• Retaliation for asserting your rights? Illegal. Document everything.

6. Repairs Go in Writing, Always

• Email or text repair requests. Dates, pics, follow-ups—keep a folder.
• No heat in January? Report it. Rochester and Buffalo have 311. Syracuse residents can contact City Codes Enforcement to report violations.
• Don’t withhold rent without knowing NY’s rules—ask first.

7. Discrimination: Still Illegal, Every Time

• Fair housing bans discrimination by race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and family status. NY often protects source of income and more.
• If “new requirements” only apply to you, that’s sus.
• Save screenshots, emails, and texts—receipts win cases.

8. Your Lease Is a Contract (Read It Like One)

• Get every promise in writing—parking in the South Wedge, storage on Buffalo’s West Side, pets in Westcott.
• Know break-lease, renewal, and sublet terms before you sign.
• If it’s not in the lease, it’s a wish list.

9. Moving Out Doesn’t Mean Paying for Normal Life

• You’re responsible for damage, not normal wear (tiny nail holes, faded paint).
• Reasonable cleaning is fine; “professional cleaning” only if your lease says so.
• Do a pre-move-out walkthrough, return keys, and give a forwarding address so your deposit finds you.

10. Get Help Early (Deadlines Are Real)

• Legal aid, tenant unions, housing agencies—use them.
• Keep a folder: lease, notices, photos, repair logs, receipts.
• Ask questions before a notice becomes a court date.

Resources That Can Help You

National Resources:
• HUD Office of Fair Housing — 1-800-669-9777 (file discrimination complaints)
• Legal Services Corporation — find local legal aid
• National Low Income Housing Coalition — renter tools and policy updates

New York Statewide:
• NYS Division of Human Rights (fair housing/discrimination)
• NYS Homes & Community Renewal (tenant info)
• Office of the NY Attorney General (tenant guidance/helpline)

Rochester Area (Monroe County):
• Legal Aid Society of Rochester
• Empire Justice Center (Rochester)
• City of Rochester 311 — Code Enforcement (no heat, hazards)
• Monroe County Department of Human Services — emergency assistance

Buffalo Area (Erie County):
• Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS)
• ECBA Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP)
• Buffalo 311 — Housing Inspections
• Erie County Department of Social Services — emergency housing help

Syracuse Area (Onondaga County):
• Hiscock Legal Aid Society (HLA)
• Legal Services of Central New York (LSCNY)
• Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY (VLP of CNY)
• City of Syracuse Codes Enforcement — housing complaints

Emergency Help (All Three Cities):
• 211 (Western NY, Finger Lakes, and Central NY) for rental assistance and local resources
• Community action agencies, nonprofits, and DV hotlines for emergency relocations

The Bottom Line

You’re not “lucky” to have a livable home—you’re entitled to it. Upstate winters are tough; your rights are tougher. Know the rules, keep receipts, and don’t let anyone bully you out of your housing. Stay documented, stay calm, and stay housed. When in doubt, ask for help early and often.