It is a great feeling to be living alone in New York but there are a few things that you should know. City, State and National laws dictate on one staying home alone.

The Office of Children & Family Services (OFCS) in New York says that “some children are responsible, intelligent, and independent enough to be left alone at 12 or 13 years of age.

Likewise, there are some teenagers who are too irresponsible or who have special needs that limit their ability to be safe if they are left alone.”

If you consider yourself intelligent and independent enough to live alone in New York you should know that minors (those under 18 years of age) can’t sign the rental agreement which is a binding contract due to their age.

If one is emancipated, they could sign the lease, however, the minor can “disavow” the lease which the landlord can be held to the lease agreement. With that said, landlords will be less inclined to rent to minors.

You will then need the assistant of an adult to sign the lease. This should be done after you check with city you plan to stay and county that it is located in.

Before you move into your new residence, take detailed photos. When you need to move away from your residence, your photos can show the condition you received it compared to the photos while leaving and can aid in helping to get your security deposit back should you need to go to small claims court.

Join us in our New York Forum if you have any comments or questions.