Do you have bad conditions in your apartment?
Have you tried to get your landlord to make repairs and nothing has happened?
Are you being harassed by your landlord?
Follow these steps. You have a right to live with good conditions and free from harassment.
311 helps connect you to city services. If you call 311 about a housing problem or harassment, 311 will send your complaint to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
HPD enforces housing laws to keep housing in New York City safe.
Not sure if the issue is a violation or want to know more about HPD requirements? Use this HPD Violation Checklist to learn more about bad conditions.
Get evidence
You should create a record of the bad conditions or lack of services like heat, hot water or gas in your home. You may be asked for this information if you meet with an attorney or go to court.
There are many ways you can do this. You can take pictures. You can keep a log of when you have no heat, hot water or cooking gas.
There are some housing problems you may not be able to take a picture of. Below is a form you may use to record heat and hot water information.
Ask in writing
You can also send a letter to your landlord requesting repairs. Include a list of all the repairs needed and a reasonable date that you’d like the repairs completed by.
You may want to send this letter return receipt so that you have proof that your landlord received your letter.
Keep a copy and add this letter to your evidence.
If all else fails, you can sue your landlord in housing court to force them to make the repairs and to stop harassment.
This is a special kind of case called an HP case or, more commonly, an HP Action.
There is an app to help you start an HP case, it's called JustFix. It is free and confidential. Click here to go to the app now.
The following links created in collaboration with Legal Services NYC will help you learn more about the process of starting an HP Action case and preparing for your court date:
Read "Your day in housing court" to know what to expect before, during, and after your case, or watch the video below.
Bronx Housing Court
1118 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10456
HP Clerk
Lobby
Window 7
718-466-3014
Kings Civil Court
141 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
HP Clerk
Room 202
Window 10
347-404-9200
New York Civil Court
111 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013
HP Clerk
Room 225
Window 5
646-386-5500/1
Queens Civil Court
89-17 Sutphin Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11436
HP Clerk
Room 209
718-262-7145
Richmond Civil Court
927 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
HP Clerk
Basement
L&T Window
718-390-5420
You don’t have to deal with a housing court problem on your own. Finding free and confidential legal help can be as easy.
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This site was developed in collaboration with LawHelpNY, Legal Services NYC, Pro Bono Net and JustFixNYC with funding from the Legal Services Corporation, Santander Bank and IOLA.
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