Due to technical problems, this section of TenantNet is closed. While the links below appear to lead to full-text summaries of Housing Court Decisions, they will not reveal any information. We regret the inconvenience. You might try to research issues and areas of interest in the Reference and Case sections of the TenantNet Forum.
Housing Court Decisions
The best way to learn complex issues of landlord/tenant law is to read cases.
Let it sink in. You may have to consult Kafka, but eventually it may make sense. Although the full text of Housing Court cases are beyond our resources, NYC tenant attorneys have provided the reader with the important factual and legal issues of selected cases. Note: the cases below are maintained for archival purposes. The law firm that had previously provided the summaries abandoned this project in 2006. We regret the inconvenience.

Housing Court Decision Summaries

 
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About HCD

NYC Housing Court
When you get legal papers, go here to see how Housing Court is supposed to work.

The Legal System
Some perspective might help in court.

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Selected articles from Nolo Press

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About TenantNet Housing Court Decisions
New York City landlord-tenant disputes generally fall into three categories:
  • Non-payments where the tenant has not paid rent;
  • Holdovers where the landlord alleges the tenant has violated the terms of the lease or otherwise has done something which is prohibited, or is still in occupancy after a lawful lease termination;
  • Housing Part Action or "HP Action," a case brought by the tenant asking the court to require the landlord to make repairs.

    These disputes are generally heard in New York City Housing Court which is part of the New York City Civil Court system. Some cases are heard in the full Civil Court and still others are brought in Supreme Court (which is really the name of a County Court and not the highest court in New York State.) Many factors determine where a case is commenced (and beyond the scope of this brief description), but include issues of jurisdiction, the amount of money sought as relief or whether discovery is desired.

    Some matters are considered Summary Proceedings (usually in Housing Court) and others are Actions. Each carries its own sets of rules. Supreme Court will also hear Article 78 Proceedings, a mechanism to challenge the decision of a city or state agency (such as DHCR).

Understanding the legal system anywhere is a tough job, but in New York it is especially complex. Many, but not all, cases are reported in the New York Law Journal, a weekday publication usually available in law offices and public libraries. Many other decisions go unreported and TenantNet invites readers to make submissions. Upon inquiry we will supply a fax number.

Certain Laws are brought up constantly in landlord/tenant cases. We can't mention every statute, but many are available online at TenantNet:


All summaries, decisions and/or other information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or as creating a lawyer-client relationship with anyone. Also see the TenantNet general disclaimer. Although tenants have a right to represent themselves in court pro se, it is always advisable to consult with an attorney. Tenant attorney Colleen McGuire edited Housing Court Decisions from 1996-2002. From 2002-2007, Housing Court Decisions was edited by Daphna Zekaria, Esq.