Housing Frequently Asked Questions

To find a lawyer:  Lawsuits brought in Housing Court should be taken seriously.  Your landlord will probably have the assistance of a lawyer.  You should find a lawyer to help you if you can. 

• If you can afford a lawyer, but do not know how to find one, call the Legal Referral Service at (212) 626-7373.  They will refer you to a lawyer who will charge a $25.00 consultation fee for the first half-hour.  If you decide to hire the lawyer after this consultation, you and the lawyer will work out the fee that you will pay. 
• If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact Law Help call the Legal Aid Society at (212) 577-3300 or Legal Services at (212) 431-7200.

To get more information on your rights in Housing Court:

• The City-Wide Task Force on Housing Court has information tables in most Housing Courts, or you can call them at (212) 982-5512 or the Metropolitan Council on Housing at (212) 693-0550.
• Also, in some of the Housing Courts there is a Resource Center where you can view a video about Housing Court procedures and get written information and forms.

To get an interpreter:  The Clerk or the Judge at the Housing Court will get an interpreter for you.

To apply for public assistance:  Go to your local office of the New York City Department of Social Services ("DSS").   Also, check to see if there is a DSS liaison office in the Housing Court in your borough.

To report bad housing conditions and heat or hot water complaints:  Call the New York City Housing Inspection Unit at (212) 960-4800.

To organize other tenants in your building:   Call the Metropolitan Council on Housing at (212) 693-0550 or the New York State Tenant & Neighborhood Coalition at (212) 695-8922.

If you are being sexually harassed:   Call the Housing Discrimination Clinic of the New York Law School at (212) 431-2176.

If your landlord is discriminating against you due to your age, race, gender, sexual orientation or any other grounds:   Call the New York City Commission on Human Rights at (212) 306-7500 or the New York State Division of Human Rights at (212) 722-2856.

To bring an HP action:   Call the HPD Tenants Assistance Unit at (212) 386-5000 or go to the HP Clerk at the Housing Court.

To bring a 7A proceeding:   Call the Community Action Unit at (212) 240-5096 or the HPD 7A Counseling & Assistance Unit at (212) 386-8834.

For rent control and rent stabilization tenants:   Call the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal at (718) 739-6400.  This office hears complaints about rent overcharges, landlord decreases in service, harassment by the landlord, refusal to renew your lease, and other problems.

For security deposit complaints:   Call the New York State Attorney General's Consumer Frauds & Protection Bureau at (212) 416-8000.