A Tenant’s Guide To The New York City Housing Court

The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
Housing Court Public Service Projects Committee
and The Civil Court of the City of New York
Fern A. Fisher
Administrative Judge
February 2006

Also available as a PDF version
and in Spanish (pdf)

Table Of Contents

Chapter 1: Tenant’s Guide Introduction

Chapter 2: Types of Cases (Lawsuits) brought in Housing Court
     Section 2A: Non-payment Cases
     Section 2B: Holdover Cases
     Section 2C: Illegal Lockout Proceedings

Chapter 3: How Legal Papers are "Served"

Chapter 4: Going to Court
     Section 4A: What to Bring to Court
     Section 4B: What Do I Do When I Go to Court?
     Section 4C: Settlements and Stipulations
     Section 4D: Trials

Chapter 5: Information on Legal Documents
     Section 5A: Notice of Eviction
     Section 5B: Order to Show Cause

Chapter 6: How to Handle Housing Repair Problems
     Section 6A: How to Request a Housing Inspection
     Section 6B: How to Force Your Landlord to Make Repairs

Chapter 7: Additional Legal Support and Reference Guide
     Section 7A: How to Be Prepared to Resolve Housing Problems
     Section 7B: Where Can I Go for Help?
     Section 7C: Glossary of Legal Terms
     Section 7D: Housing Court Flow Charts
     Section 7E: Addresses and Public Travel Directions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do if I am being sued for failing to pay rent?
2. What should I do if I am being sued for a reason other than failing to pay
3. How can I force my landlord to make repairs?
4. What should I bring with me to court?
5. What happens at court?
6. What should I answer to a case where I am being sued for not paying?
7. What should I answer to a case where I am being sued for a reason other than not paying rent?
8. What should I do if my landlord has illegally locked me out of my apartment?
9. What should I do if there are many apartments in my building affected by my landlord’s failure to make repairs?
10. Where can I go for help in legal matters?
11. How do I know if I am being sued or evicted?
12. How can I get an attorney’s help?
13. What do I do if I did not receive my court papers properly?