- The Inspection — The court will send an inspector to your apartment. Make sure you are in your apartment and are ready for the inspector on the day and time that you are assigned. The inspection report is the main evidence in your case against the landlord. When the inspector arrives, you can show him or her the problems in your apartment. You should not argue with the inspector if he or she does not mark things that you believe are violations. There are other ways to prove violations in court.
- Other Preparations — Gather evidence and documents that show that services have not been provided or that repairs have not been made. Some things you should bring include:
- a written record of building and/or apartment problems
- a list of dates and times you contacted the landlord or super to ask for the repairs
- copies of letters you have written to the landlord about problems
- photographs of the conditions in your apartment or building
- copy of HPD’s inspection report or failed Section 8 inspection report
- a heat log (a list of dates you do not have heat that includes the temperatures inside and outside)
- change to make copies