ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo signaled for the first time yesterday a willingness to “expand” New York’s rent regulations even as he conceded any changes were unlikely before the looming state-budget deadline.

He offered no details about what he meant when asked at a news conference whether he supported a simple extension of current regulations for roughly 1 million city apartments that expire on June 15 or an expansion favored by Democrats, including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan).

“I would like to extend and expand,” Cuomo said.

When pressed for particulars, he added, “That’s part of the negotiations.”

The remark was the latest clue that Cuomo is embracing the rent issue, which is among the most vital to the same New York City Democrats leading the fight against his budget plan.

Silver wants to make passage of a cap on local property taxes — a Cuomo proposal backed by Republicans — contingent on renewal of the rent laws.

At the same time, Silver has sought an expansion of the laws, including raising the rent and income thresholds at which apartments are dropped from the rent-stabilization program.