Please register through the link below. These workshops are free and geared toward advocates, tenant organizers, tenant leaders, and other non-attorneys. Doors open at 1:30 so come early to meet other advocates from around the city. We’ll have coffee and snacks.
This year, our format will be slightly different than previous years. We have a smaller space for the first three sessions. Therefore, we will present the Overview of Housing Court twice, the first (April 6) will be for anyone attending the whole series and the second (June 8) will be open to anyone just looking for a few of the trainings.
Overview of Housing Court
April 6
First we will learn about tenant screening reports. We will discuss ways to minimize the impact of housing court cases on the ability to rent housing.
Then learn what happens in Housing Court: nonpayment cases, holdover cases, and hp actions. This workshop will cover the typical course of an eviction case including how to understand the court papers, how to prepare for the court case, and what defenses a tenant can claim in their case. We will also discuss the types of help that are available and how advocates can help their clients.
Materials: Overview of Housing Court
Holdover Cases
April 13
Learn what happens in Holdover cases for tenants in unregulated housing. We will also briefly cover holdover cases for tenants in rent regulated and subsidized housing.
We will cover the types of notice, how they should be served, and potential defenses. We will also discuss what happens in court and how tenants can negotiate time to move, whether tenants will have to pay use and occupancy, and other possible settlement options.
Materials: Holdover powerpoint
Materials: DHCR Fact Sheet on succession
Materials: DHCR Fact Sheet on sublets
Materials: DHCR Fact Sheet on owner’s use
How to Get Repairs
April 20
This workshop will introduce a platform where tenants, community organizers, and legal services can document housing conditions and take action against landlords. Learn how this new tool is useful for organizers and lawyers working with buildings.
We will also cover how to bring an HP Action in Housing Court. We will discuss the filing process for both group and individual actions, what happens on the court date, and the steps to take if the landlord does not respond to the court’s order to make repairs.
Stipulations
May 4
We will discuss how to prepare for Housing Court negotiation. Learn what role advocates can play in negotiations.
We will explain the steps in Housing Court settlement process covering the components of a stipulation and key legal definitions.
Rent Regulation
May 18
An overview of the rent regulation laws that protect more than 1 million affordable apartments in NYC. We will cover how to tell if an apartment is rent stabilized, how lease renewals and rent increases are calculated, what an MCI is and how it is calculated, and how to read a rent history.
NYCHA Termination Hearings
June 1
This workshop will teach you the steps in a Termination of Tenancy proceeding with NYCHA. We will learn about the reasons NYCHA starts a termination of tenancy and how tenants can defend themselves in the hearing.
Overview of Housing Court
June 8
First we will learn about tenant screening reports. We will discuss ways to minimize the impact of housing court cases on the ability to rent housing.
Then learn what happens in Housing Court: nonpayment cases, holdover cases, and hp actions. This workshop will cover the typical course of an eviction case including how to understand the court papers, how to prepare for the court case, and what defenses a tenant can claim in their case. We will also discuss the types of help that are available and how advocates can help their clients.
Rent Arrears Assistance
June 15
Learn about the types of help that are available to pay back rent for tenants facing eviction. We will discuss the criteria for each and how the application process works.
We will cover public assistance programs like the One Shot Deal and FHEPS, and charity assistance.