Ever bounced a rent check and been hit with a random “returned payment” fee that felt way higher than it should be? A new law in New York just put a stop to that.
As of October 16, 2025, New York landlords can no longer charge tenants excessive fees when a rent check bounces. This new law, passed as Assembly Bill A56, makes it clear that landlords can only charge tenants for the actual cost they incur when a check is dishonored.
That means no more flat “penalty” fees or inflated charges that go beyond what the bank actually billed the landlord. And here’s the kicker: landlords can only charge this fee if it’s specifically written into the lease. If it’s not in the lease, they can’t demand it later.
What do you think, does this law strike the right balance between protecting tenants and covering landlords’ real costs?
