In Housing Court, a mistake in a notice or a filing can decide a case before anyone is heard.
Evictions and Housing Court
Eviction cases move quickly and follow strict procedures. Errors in notices, service, or filings can be decisive.
For tenants
- Defending nonpayment cases
- Defending holdover cases after a lease ends
- Responding to claims of lease violations
- Challenging illegal lockouts or utility shutoffs
- Challenging retaliatory evictions
For landlords
- Recovering possession of a unit
- Collecting unpaid rent or use and occupancy
- Pursuing breach-of-lease claims
- Enforcing judgments after a case ends
Habitability, repairs, and building conditions
Owners must keep premises safe and livable under the warranty of habitability, and tenant claims need solid documentation. We handle failures of heat, hot water, and essential services; leaks, water intrusion, and mold; pests and environmental hazards; housing code violations; and access for repairs. That can mean working with city agencies, negotiating repair timelines, pursuing rent abatement claims, or litigating when needed.
Rent regulation and compliance
Rent-stabilized and rent-controlled apartments carry complex rules, and errors in registration, renewal, or rent calculation are costly. We advise on:
- DHCR compliance and reporting
- Rent overcharge claims
- MCI and IAI rent increases
- Lease renewal rights
- Claims that a unit was unlawfully deregulated
More of what we handle
Security deposits
- Recovering wrongfully withheld deposits
- Defending statutory penalty claims
- Itemization and documentation requirements
- Move-in and move-out condition disputes
Lease drafting & enforcement
- Rent and additional charges
- Renewal and termination rights
- Repair, maintenance, and access provisions
- Default remedies and required disclosures
Fair housing & harassment
- Federal, state, and local fair housing matters
- Reasonable accommodation requests
- Harassment or coercion claims
- Retaliation after complaints or agency involvement
Zoning & occupancy
- Certificate of occupancy concerns
- Unit legality
- Agency violations and corrective action plans
- Long-term risk reduction
Negotiation and dispute resolution
Litigation is not always necessary. We look for resolutions that fit your financial and operational goals, including settlement negotiations, stipulations of discontinuance or compliance, payment plans, lease modifications, and pre-litigation demand letters.