1 800-518-0890LEGAL ACTION
Emergency problems demand fast action, and in these situations
the administrative procedures will probably not be able to give
you the quick solution you need. Under these circumstances, you
may decide to seek legal redress in Housing Court.
If you must appear in Housing Court, you should consult an
experienced tenant organizer, legislative office, or attorney in
order to assure that your rights are protected and enforced.
Tenants appearing in Housing Court must be careful to document
all aspects of the case being presented. Before going to court,
you should explain the nature of your complaint to your landlord
in writing, and mail the information via certified mail-return
receipt requested. Keep copies of all correspondence!
If you get no response to your complaint and you believe it
involves code violations, call the HPD Central Complaints Office
and ask for an inspector to be sent to your apartment. The
inspector will file a report on the visit which you can obtain
from the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development's
Division of Code Enforcement.
If your problem is visible, take photographs. If your complaint
concerns insufficient heat, record the temperature both inside
and outside your apartment. If other tenants have similar
problems, ask them to join you in making the complaint.
You can initiate a legal proceeding yourself, or you can withhold
payment of your rent as a device to force your landlord to take
you to court. In either event, your tenancy will be protected,
but it is important to follow the procedures explained in the
following sections.