Answer letter ideas/hints

[nycgeoff]

Hi All:

Thanks for your previous help on the summons from my old landlord...

Now I'm heading to court to file my answer letter to his summons. I've consulted with a lawyer, but it doesn't make sense to hire one full-time due to the relatively small amount of the suit (less than 8k), so I'm going pro se.

The landlord is suing me over breaking the lease. I'm responding that I was constructively evicted and that he didn't maintain the warrant of habitability (leaks, vermin, etc.).

Has anyone here done this before? Any hints or ideas or things I should keep in mind for this letter/process? I think I have it under control, but this is new to me and I'm just worried I'll forget something important.