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NYCHA

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

Updates on NYCHA Housing Court cases

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...

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Información en Español

audencias de terminación en NYCHA ajustes de alquiler en NYCHA proceso de quejas en NYCHA reparaciónes en NYCHA Negociar en la corte Mantenga el hogar de su familia

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I need NYCHA to lower my rent.

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

When can I ask NYCHA to lower the rent?

At the annual recertification NYCHA will set your rent. If your income changes, file an interim recertification so that NYCHA can change your rent. You must let NYCHA know right away if...

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How do I ask NYCHA to lower my rent?

1. Write a letter right away asking for an INTERIM RENT RECERTIFICATION 2. Attach proof 3. Make a copy of your letter and proof 4. Give the copies to the Management Office...

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What is good proof?

• Pay stubs • Job termination letter • Public Assistance budget letter • Death certificate • Lease or notarized rental agreement for a new apartment

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How long will it take NYCHA to lower my rent?

It may take up to 3 months. Pay the old rent until you see the change on your rent bill. Once they lower your rent, you will get a credit for what...

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What is a permanent loss of income?

• a working household member dies or permanently moves out • a household member with SSI or Social Security dies or moves out • a working household member retires or permanently stops working

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What is a rent hardship?

• Your income before taxes goes down 5%, and • Your rent is more than 30% of your take home pay, and • Your income goes down for more than 2 months in a row.

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If you notify NYCHA within 30 days, the lower rent starts right away.

You will not see a change on your bill for 3 months. Example Wayne lost his job on August 20. He tells NYCHA September 5. The September rent will be lower. Wayne’s...

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If you wait more than 30 days to notify NYCHA, the lower rent will start the month after.

You will not see a change on your bill for 3 months. Example Jasmin also lost her job on August 20. She tells NYCHA on November 10. The lower rent will start...

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If NYCHA won’t lower the rent, file a Rent Increase Grievance.

Request the grievance within 10 days of your rent due date, or within 14 days of receiving the RIGHT TO GRIEVE NOTICE. Pay the rent that was due before the increase. Or...

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How do I file a grievance?

Write a letter to the manager. Write interim recertification grievance at the top of the letter. Tell them that you asked to lower the rent but they didn’t lower it. Tell them...

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I need repairs in my NYCHA apartment.

What is the first thing I should do to get repairs?

You must notify NYCHA about the conditions in your apartment by calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771. You will get a ticket number for each repair. Make sure you write down...

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What happens after I report the conditions to the Customer Contact Center?

The NYCHA representative will give you a date for the repairs. If it is an emergency (flood, carbon monoxide, etc.) they should come within 24 hours. Most simple repairs are done within...

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What should I do before I file an HP action in NYCHA?

Walk through your apartment and make a list of everything that needs to be repaired, room by room. This is your chance to address all the problems in the apartment that NYCHA...

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How do I file an HP Action in NYCHA?

Go down to the housing court in your borough. Take your list of repairs and photos with you to court. Once you get to housing court, tell the clerk that you are...

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What happens on my NYCHA court date?

On your court date, the NYCHA attorney and your housing assistant will want to talk to you about the case and try to make an agreement about what needs to be repaired...

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What do I do if the repairs are still not done in NYCHA?

If repairs are not done on the dates in the agreement, you can take NYCHA back to court by filing an Order to Show Cause. An Order to Show Cause puts your...

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What is an HP Action in NYCHA?

An HP action is a court case that you can bring in housing court against NYCHA requesting that they repair your apartment.

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I want to file a grievance against NYCHA.

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

What are some reasons to file a grievance?

• your monthly rent is incorrect • you are being charged fees you don’t owe • NYCHA refuses to add or remove someone on your lease • someone living with you has...

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What cannot be grieved?

The result of a Termination Hearing or the decision in Housing Court. You cannot file a grievance if you got a 30 day notice to vacate after a hearing or if you...

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What are the steps in a grievance?

STEP 1 Send a letter to the manager. Request a meeting. Write that you are filing a grievance. The manager should schedule a meeting with you. Bring any evidence. NYCHA will then...

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What if I lose the hearing?

The Impartial Hearing Officer will send a decision. If you lost, NYCHA will start a Holdover case against you in Housing Court for eviction. The Housing Court judge cannot overturn NYCHA’s decision.

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What else can I do?

You can file an Article 78. This is a review of NYCHA’s decision in Supreme Court. You must file within 4 months of the decision. Speak with an attorney first. There is...

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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.

What do I do when the head of household leaves?

Request a new lease from management. You must qualify as a remaining family member. If your Manager denies your request, ask for a REMAINING FAMILY MEMBER CLAIM. Request a grievance within 14...

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What do I have to prove to get the NYCHA lease in my name?

You need to show that you have the capacity to sign a lease, have verifiable income and can pass a criminal background check.   You have a right to be in the...

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Steps in a Remaining Family Member Grievance

STEP 1 The grievance starts with an interview with the Manager. You can testify and show proof. If the manager decides you are not entitled to a lease, they will send a...

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NYCHA Termination Proceedings

What is a termination hearing?

A termination hearing is an informal trial that NYCHA holds to decide if you should be evicted from the apartment. Regular nonpayment of rent cases do not go through this process, they...

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What happens after the first interview?

If the Housing Manager decides to recommend you for termination, he or she must tell you the facts used to make this decision. You should receive a Notice of Hearing explaining that...

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How can I prepare for a termination hearing?

Before going to your hearing, carefully read the charges against you. Call the NYCHA representative and ask to make an appointment to see your file. You have a right to see all...

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Do I have to go to the termination hearing?

Yes! Do not ignore any papers you receive telling you to go to 250 Broadway. If possible, consult an attorney or a housing advocate experienced in NYCHA termination proceedings before going. If...

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What happens when I get to my termination hearing?

NYCHA might begin by offering to settle the case and asking you to sign a stipulation. If you believe NYCHA is wrong for terminating your tenancy, or if you believe you can...

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How will I know the decision?

You will get the Hearing Officer’s decision and the reasons for the decision in the mail 4-6 weeks after your hearing. The decision can be that your tenancy is terminated, that you...

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Can I appeal the decision?

You MUST file an appeal within 4 months of the decision.This process is called an Article 78 Proceeding. It is done in New York State Supreme Court. For more information you should...

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What happens before NYCHA starts a termination of tenancy case against me?

If the Housing Manager believes that a termination of tenancy proceeding should be started, you should receive a letter calling you into the management office for an interview to discuss the circumstances...

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I received eviction papers from NYCHA.

Look carefully at the papers. If the papers tell you to go to 250 Broadway, NYCHA is starting a termination of tenancy case through their administrative hearing process. If the papers tell...

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