Legal Aid Society of New York

What should I bring to court?

• All papers (from court and other papers) you have received from your landlord.
• Your lease and renewal leases, if you have them.
• If the case is for nonpayment of rent, bring proof of your rent payments. Bring rent receipts, canceled checks or copies of money orders. You should NEVER pay your rent in cash without getting a rent receipt then and there, IMMEDIATELY.
• Records of all your apartment and building problems, with dates.
• Pictures of all problems in your apartment or building. Write an explanation and the date the picture was taken on the back.
• Copies of letters or other documents you sent to the landlord, superintendent or government agencies (and proof, if you have it, that the letters were mailed and received, like a return receipt) regarding problems with your apartment or building.
• Lists of the dates on which you talked with the landlord, superintendent or other building staff about problems in your apartment or building and what you said. It is a good idea to send a follow-up letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, to your landlord or superintendent.
• Receipts for labor and materials for any repairs that you made.
• Anything else you believe will help your case.
• If your case is scheduled for trial, also bring all witnesses you want to testify.
• If you have trouble getting documents or witnesses that you need, you can ask the Court to issue a subpoena. A subpoena is a court order that directs someone, including a government agency, to come to court on a particular date either to testify or to produce a document. You can ask for a subpoena up to 48 hours before the trial date. There are subpoena forms in the Landlord-Tenant Clerk's Office. The Clerk will explain how to fill out the subpoena so it can be given to a Judge to sign.