The Yak Management Blog

Winterizing Your NYC Rental Property Checklist

A landlord's checklist for winterizing your NYC rental — heat and hot water rules, freeze protection, boiler prep, and preventing burst pipes before the cold hits.

7 Signs It's Time to Hire a Property Manager

Not sure whether you need a property manager for your NYC rental? Here are 7 clear signs — from compliance overwhelm to chronic vacancy — that it's time to hand off.

What Happens When a Rent-Stabilized Tenant Moves Out? Post-HSTPA Rules

What happens when a rent-stabilized tenant moves out in NYC: the unit stays stabilized, no vacancy bonus, DHCR registration, and re-renting rules.

The Ultimate Guide to Property Management in Brooklyn

How property management works in Brooklyn and NYC — what managers actually do, what it costs, the rent-stabilization and HPD rules that matter, and how to choose one.

NYC Tenant Rights: What Every Renter Should Know

Renting in New York City? Know your rights — habitability, heat and hot water, security deposits, rent increases, source-of-income protection, and eviction rules — explained plainly.

NYC Security Deposit Rules: What Landlords Must Know

New York caps security deposits at one month's rent and requires a 14-day return with itemized deductions. Here's how NYC landlords stay compliant and avoid penalties.

Source-of-Income Discrimination Laws in NYC: What Landlords Must Know

Source of income discrimination NYC landlord guide: what the law covers, why refusing Section 8 or CityFHEPS is illegal, and how to comply.

Section 8 Payment Standards in Brooklyn: What Landlords Earn

How Section 8 payment standards work for Brooklyn landlords — who sets them, how they're calculated, and how much of the rent NYCHA actually pays.

How to Rent an Apartment in Brooklyn: Full Guide

Renting in Brooklyn, explained step by step — where to look, what a broker fee is, the documents you need, your rights as a tenant, and how to avoid rental scams.

Do You Need Renter's Insurance in NYC?

Is renter's insurance required in New York City? What it covers, why your landlord's policy won't protect your stuff, and what a Brooklyn renter should look for.

Lease Renewal Compliance: The 90–150 Day Rule for Stabilized Units

The rent stabilized lease renewal timeline NYC landlords must follow: the 90–150 day window, the DHCR renewal form, and what happens if you're late.

NYC Rent Stabilization: A Guide for Landlords

How rent stabilization works in NYC — how to tell if a unit is stabilized, legal rent increases, DHCR registration, IAIs, MCIs, and owner obligations.

How Much Can You Raise Rent in NYC?

How much can a landlord raise rent in NYC? The answer depends on whether your unit is rent-stabilized or free-market. Here are the rules, limits, and notice requirements.

Rent Guidelines Board Increases 2025–2026: What Brooklyn Owners Need to Know

How the NYC Rent Guidelines Board sets 2025–2026 rent increases, when they apply, and how Brooklyn owners of rent-stabilized buildings should prepare.

Preventive Maintenance Schedule for Brooklyn Rentals

A season-by-season preventive maintenance checklist for Brooklyn rental properties — boilers, roofs, plumbing, and the HPD compliance tasks landlords can't skip.

Preferential Rent vs. Legal Rent: What Every NYC Landlord Must Track

Preferential rent vs legal rent NYC: what each means, why HSTPA changed the rules, and how Brooklyn landlords must track both to avoid overcharge claims.

NYC Rental Assistance Programs for Landlords: 2026 Directory

A 2026 directory of NYC rental assistance programs for landlords: Section 8/HCV, CityFHEPS, FHEPS, HASA, and HAVP — agencies, paperwork, and rules, at a glance.

NYC Landlord-Tenant Law: The Complete Guide

A plain-English guide to NYC landlord-tenant law — rent stabilization, HPD registration, security deposits, heat rules, Fair Housing, and eviction, with the agencies that enforce each.

Every NYC Housing Voucher Program Explained: A Brooklyn Landlord Guide

All NYC housing voucher programs landlord guide: Section 8/HCV, CityFHEPS, FHEPS, HASA, and HAVP — who runs each, how payment works, and your legal duties.

The NYC Eviction Process: Step-by-Step

A plain-English, step-by-step guide to the NYC eviction process for landlords — predicate notices, housing court, warrants, marshals, and how long it really takes.

Moving to Brooklyn? Everything You Need to Know

A practical, no-nonsense guide to moving to Brooklyn — how to pick a neighborhood, what apartment applications require, deposit rules, and your first-week checklist.

Most Common HPD Violations in Brooklyn

The HPD violations Brooklyn landlords get cited for most — heat, hot water, leaks, pests, lead paint — plus what each class means and how to avoid them.

MCI Applications in Brooklyn: Timeline, Costs & Approval Process

How Major Capital Improvement (MCI) rent increase applications work in NYC — eligible work, DHCR filing steps, realistic timelines, and post-HSTPA caps.

Lead Paint Disclosure Rules for NYC Landlords

NYC landlords face federal and city lead paint rules — disclosure for pre-1978 units, Local Law 1 duties, and Local Law 31 XRF testing. Here's what you must do.

Lead Paint Compliance for Brooklyn Landlords

A practical guide to lead paint compliance for Brooklyn landlords: Local Law 1 duties, Local Law 31 XRF testing, safe renovation rules, and HPD enforcement.

Tax Deductions Every NYC Landlord Should Know

The rental property tax write-offs NYC landlords miss most — from depreciation and mortgage interest to repairs, management fees, and travel — explained plainly for owners.

Landlord Insurance in NYC: What You Need & Costs

A plain-English guide to landlord insurance in NYC — what a dwelling policy covers, what it doesn't, how much it costs, and the extra coverages Brooklyn owners actually need.

HSTPA 2019 Explained: What Changed for NYC Landlords

A landlord's guide to the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019 — what changed for rent stabilization, deposits, and evictions.

How to Pass a Section 8 HQS Inspection in Brooklyn

An HQS inspection checklist for NYC landlords: what NYCHA and HRA/DSS actually check, the most common fails, and how to pass the first time.

HPD Violations: How to Avoid & Resolve Them

An HPD violation on your Brooklyn building? Learn what the A, B, and C hazard classes mean, how to certify a correction, and how to avoid violations in the first place.

How to Submit a Maintenance Request | Yak

A step-by-step guide for Yak Management tenants: how to submit a maintenance request through the AppFolio tenant portal, what counts as an emergency, and what to expect next.

How to Price Your Brooklyn Rental (Guide)

A data-driven way to price your Brooklyn rental: how to read comps, factor in rent stabilization, avoid the overpricing trap, and land a great tenant fast.

How to Find & Screen Great Tenants in Brooklyn

A landlord's playbook for finding and screening tenants in Brooklyn — where to advertise, what to check, how to stay Fair Housing compliant, and the red flags that matter.

How to Handle Late Rent Payments in NYC

Tenant not paying rent in New York? Here's the legal process — from a 14-day rent demand to a housing court nonpayment case — plus late-fee limits and what landlords can't do.

How Much Does Property Management Cost in NYC?

What NYC property management really costs — how fees are structured, what's included, hidden charges to watch for, and whether hiring a Brooklyn manager pays off.

How to Become a Section 8 Landlord in Brooklyn

How to become a Section 8 landlord in Brooklyn: NYCHA vs. HPD programs, inspections, source-of-income law, and what owners should expect.

HASA Vouchers in Brooklyn: What Landlords Need to Know

A Brooklyn landlord's guide to HASA vouchers — who administers them, how payments work, inspection rules, and the source-of-income law you must follow.

10 Things Every First-Time NYC Landlord Needs to Know

New to being a landlord in New York City? Here are 10 essentials — from rent stabilization and HPD registration to screening, security deposits, and heat rules — explained plainly.

Emergency Maintenance: What NYC Landlords Must Fix

Which repairs are true emergencies for NYC landlords? A plain-English guide to heat, water, gas, and habitability issues you must respond to fast — and how to be ready.

DIY vs. Property Manager: The Real Cost

Thinking of self-managing your NYC rental? Here's an honest look at what DIY landlording really costs — in time, vacancy, compliance risk — versus hiring a manager.

DHCR Registration: A Step-by-Step Guide for Brooklyn Landlords

How to register rent stabilized apartment DHCR filings correctly — deadlines, required data, common errors, and what happens if you skip a year.

Crown Heights Rental Market: A Landlord's Guide

What Crown Heights landlords need to know about rent prices, rent-stabilized housing, tenant demand, and the local rental market — explained plainly by a Brooklyn property manager.

CityFHEPS vs. Section 8: Which Voucher Pays More in Brooklyn?

CityFHEPS vs Section 8 difference explained for Brooklyn landlords — who administers each voucher, how payment amounts are set, and which pays more.

The Complete Brooklyn Landlord Guide to Rent Stabilization (2026)

Rent stabilization rules Brooklyn landlords need in 2026 — DHCR registration, RGB increases, HSTPA changes, IAIs/MCIs, and voucher tenancies, explained.

CityFHEPS for Brooklyn Landlords: The Complete Guide

How CityFHEPS works for Brooklyn landlords — eligibility, payment standards, inspections, source-of-income law, and how to rent to CityFHEPS tenants correctly.

CityFHEPS Payment Amounts in Brooklyn (2026 Update)

How CityFHEPS payment standards are set in Brooklyn, who sets them, how they interact with legal rent, and what landlords need to verify before signing a lease.

Bushwick Rental Market Report & Landlord Guide

A Bushwick rental market report for landlords: what's driving rent prices, current rental trends, the neighborhood's rent-stabilization mix, and how to price and lease your units.

Can Rent-Stabilized Apartments Be Deregulated? (Post-HSTPA)

Can you deregulate a rent stabilized apartment in NYC? Not the way you used to. Here's exactly what HSTPA (2019) changed and what still applies today.

Brooklyn Rental Market Report & Trends (2026)

A landlord's guide to the Brooklyn rental market in 2026 — what drives rents, how neighborhoods differ, key trends, and what it all means for owners.

Brooklyn Rent Trends: Quarterly Market Update

A plain-English quarterly read on Brooklyn rent trends — seasonality, neighborhood shifts, concessions, and what NYC rent movement means for owners setting rents right now.

Property Investment

Investing in Brooklyn Rental Property

A complete guide to buying and owning rental property in Brooklyn — how to evaluate deals, run the numbers, navigate rent stabilization and HPD, and manage for real returns.

How Gentrification Affects Brooklyn Landlords & Tenants

Gentrification reshapes Brooklyn rents, tenant turnover, and compliance risk. Here's how it affects landlords and renters — and how to stay profitable and legal.

Best Property Management Software for Small Landlords

The best property management software for small NYC landlords in 2026 — how to compare rent collection, screening, accounting, and maintenance tools, plus their limits.

Property Investment

Best Brooklyn Neighborhoods for Landlords

Where should you buy a rental in Brooklyn? A landlord's guide to the borough's strongest neighborhoods — demand, rent-stabilized stock, and what to weigh before you invest.

Bed-Stuy Rental Market Report: Prices & Trends

A clear-eyed look at the Bedford-Stuyvesant rental market — rent trends, what drives Bed-Stuy prices, rent-stabilized inventory, and the 2026 outlook for landlords.