For Tenants

Understanding the court process can help you negotiate a better deal in Housing Court. You will find information on what happens in court and how you can fight your case.

My landlord brought me to Housing Court.

There are two types of cases that a landlord can start in Housing Court. A nonpayment case to collect rent or a holdover case to get the apartment back.

I have a pending nonpayment case.

Nonpayment cases are moving forward in housing court. The first step after receiving a petition is to answer and give the court your defenses. You must go to the court in person to answer. Tenants in housing court have a right to counsel or to legal advice but the legal service providers are overwhelmed and you may need to represent yourself.

My landlord wants to evict me.

Your landlord must file a case in Housing Court to have you evicted. It is illegal for a landlord to lock a tenant out of an apartment for any reason.

I need help paying my rent.

A lot of people cannot pay rent right now. Housing Courts are open and cases are moving forward. Emergency assistance is available for tenants behind on the rent. Call us to find out more! You may also be eligible for a free attorney if you have a court case.

Charities

Private nonprofit organizations that help tenants with emergency back rent payments.

FHEPS

A rent program for families on public assistance with children under 18.

One Shot Deals

One time assistance for rent arrears from public assistance to avoid eviction.

I need repairs in my apartment.

If you have serious, dangerous conditions in your apartment, you can file an emergency HP action.

I need repairs in my apartment.

If you have serious, dangerous conditions in your apartment, you can file an emergency HP action.

I need repairs in my NYCHA apartment.

What happens in court?

What to expect if you are going to housing court without a lawyer.

What is the court process?

Step by step what to expect if your landlord brings you to court.

What is a stipulation?

A written agreement about how the court case is settled. It is written up after a negotiation.

Do I need an order to show cause?

File an order to show cause (OSC) to ask the judge for a new court date.

What will happen during an eviction?

A marshal or sheriff can only evict you with permission of the court. A marshal will make all the tenants leave the apartment and change the locks.

Judgments

A court decision. It can be for money or eviction or both.

Contact the local management office for a rent adjustment if you lost income.

I need NYCHA to lower my rent.

If your income goes down, or if someone moves out, NYCHA can lower your rent.

I want to keep my family's NYCHA apartment.

If the head of household moves out or dies, a remaining family member can take over the apartment. If NYCHA denies your request to take over the lease you will have to file a Grievance.

I want to file a grievance against NYCHA.

A grievance is a formal complaint to challenge NYCHA on an unfair
decision or inaction.

I need repairs in my NYCHA apartment.

I received eviction papers from NYCHA.

For tenants who get notices of discontinued cases: NYCHA has moved to discontinue approximately 30,000 pre-pandemic housing court cases where there are no more arrears or the case was a multiple of an already...

Holdovers in NYCHA

Before bringing a holdover case, NYCHA usually holds a termination of tenancy hearing first to determine if they should evict you. Some NYCHA tenants are brought directly to housing court.

My case showed up on my credit report.

Housing court cases can affect your credit score and your ability to get another apartment in the future.

There is a judgment on my credit report.

A judgment in housing court can show up on your credit report.

Landlords won't rent to me because I was in court.

A report about your credit and legal history that a landlord may use to decide to rent you an apartment or not.

Roommate Issues

Roommates have rights as tenants.

I want to evict my roommate

For tenants who get notices of discontinued cases: NYCHA has moved to discontinue approximately 30,000 pre-pandemic housing court cases where there are no more arrears or the case was a multiple of an already...

What are my rights as a roommate?

For tenants who get notices of discontinued cases: NYCHA has moved to discontinue approximately 30,000 pre-pandemic housing court cases where there are no more arrears or the case was a multiple of an already...