Free Legal Assistance for Tenants

Mobilization for Justice

212-417-3888 (intake open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
http://mobilizationforjustice.org/get-help/

New York Legal Assistance Group

929-356-9582 (intake open Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm)
https://www.nylag.org/hotline/

Legal Aid Society NYC

212-426-3000
https://www.legalaidnyc.org/get-help/covid-19/covid-19-information-for-clients/

Legal Services NYC

917-661-4500 (intake open Monday-Friday, 10-4pm)
http://mobilizationforjustice.org/get-help/

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Legal Services

212-218-0503
https://www.lenoxhill.org/legaladvocacy

Tenant Advocacy & Organizing

Housing Justice for All

https://www.housingjusticeforall.org/

Met Council on Housing

https://www.metcouncilonhousing.org/

Tenants and Neighbors

https://tandn.org/

NYC Housing Court

Housing Court Answers hotline

212- 962-4795 (Monday thru Friday, 9am-5pm)
http://housingcourtanswers.org/
Information on NYC Housing Court, housing law, obtaining repairs, and rent arrears assistance.
Website has a wide range of fact sheets about the housing court process, applying for
emergency rent assistance, and obtaining repairs through Housing Court.

NYC Housing Court

https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/housing/index.shtml
Obtaining Repairs

JustFix.nyc is an extremely useful on-line tool that can help you start a legal case to obtain
needed repairs and services-- with the assistance of an attorney. Housing court is currently
closed except for emergency repair cases but JustFix NYC is available 24/7 for anyone with
internet access.

The Met Council on Housing has a useful guide to obtaining repairs at:
https://www.metcouncilonhousing.org/help-answers/getting-repairs/.

Fact Sheets & Resources for Tenants during COVID-19

“Information and Resources for NYC Tenants Impacted by COVID-19” from the Mayor’s Office
to Protect Tenants
https://www1.nyc.gov/content/tenantprotection/pages/covid19-home-quarantine

COVID-19 Resources for Tenants from the NYC Rent Guidelines Board:
https://rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us/resources/legal-assistance/

“What You Need to Know About Tenants’ Rights During the COVID-19 Outbreak” from
Mobilization for Justice
http://mobilizationforjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/Covid-19-Tenants-Rights-Fact-Sheet-
4.3.20.pdf

“Evictions and Coronavirus in NY: What You Should Know” from the NY Legal Assistance Group
https://www.nylag.org/eviction-moratorium-faqs-during-the-public-health-crisis/

“FAQ: What to Do if I Can’t Pay the Rent Due Because of COVID-19” from the NYC Right to
Counsel Coalition:
https://www.righttocounselnyc.org/what_to_do_if_i_can_t_pay_rent_because_of_covid_19

Details on the Governor’s two executive orders establishing eviction moratoriums from the NYC
Right to Counsel Coalition:
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/righttocounselnyc/pages/191/attachments/original/1
590431823/Impact_of_May_7_Order_on_the_Eviction_Moratorium__Last_Updated_5_23_.pd
f?1590431823

National Low Income Housing Coalition’s database of buildings covered by the federal eviction
moratorium established by the CARES Act (primarily covers federally subsidized homes)
https://nlihc.org/federal-moratoriums

NYC Rent Freeze Programs (SCRIE & DRIE)

“The Rent Freeze Program and Covid-19” Frequently Asked Questions from NYC Department of
Finance
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/help/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions.page

Leases and Lease Renewals

FAQs on leases, lease renewals, and rent increases in rent regulated apartments from the State
Office of Homes and Community Renewal
https://hcr.ny.gov/leases-and-rent-increases

“Leases (Renewal and Vacancy) FAQ” from the NYC Rent Guidelines Board
https://hcr.ny.gov/leases-and-rent-increases

“Rent Stabilized Lease Renewals” from the Met Council on Housing

https://www.metcouncilonhousing.org/help-answers/rent-stabilized-lease-renewals/

“Renewing Your Lease in an Unregulated (market-rate) Apartment” from the Met Council on
Housing
https://www.metcouncilonhousing.org/help-answers/renewing-your-lease-in-an-unregulated-
market-rate-apartment/

“If You Want to ‘Break’ Your Lease” from the Met Council on Housing
https://www.metcouncilonhousing.org/help-answers/if-you-want-to-break-your-lease/

Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) of 2019

“Overview of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019” from the NY State Office
of Homes and Community Renewal
https://hcr.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2019/10/rent-laws-overview-10_17_2019.pdf

“Your Rights As a Tenant in NY State” from the Housing Justice for All Coalition
https://www.scribd.com/document/425598705/Your-Rights-as-a-Tenant-in-New-York-State

“New Protections for All Tenants” in the HSTPA from the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants
https://www1.nyc.gov/content/tenantprotection/pages/new-protections-for-all-tenants

“New Protections for Rent Regulated Tenants” in the HSTPA from the Mayor’s Office to Protect
Tenants
https://www1.nyc.gov/content/tenantprotection/pages/new-protections-for-rent-regulated-
tenants

NYCHA Resources & FAQs

Resources and FAQ documents for residents of NYCHA buildings covering on a wide range of
topics including building maintenance, applying for rent hardship reductions, and COVID-testing
is available at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nycha/about/covid-19-resources.page.

NY State legislation passed to help struggling renters during the pandemic (as of 5/29/2020)

S.8419, Kavanagh / A.10522, Cymbrowitz: This legislation will enact the “Emergency Rent
Relief Act of 2020” to establish an interim residential rent relief program for low-income
tenants. The program will issue a subsidy for tenants who were rent burdened prior to the
COVID-19 pandemic – or are paying more than 30 percent of their income toward rent – and
are now experiencing an even greater rent burden due to a loss of income.

S.8192B, Hoylman / A.10290B, Dinowitz: This legislation will prohibit the eviction for
nonpayment of rent of residential tenants who have suffered financial hardship and were in
arrears on rent while New York on PAUSE imposed restrictions in their county. The tenant
would remain liable for the rent owed, but this legislation will ensure New Yorkers are not
made homeless due to these extraordinary circumstances.

S.8113A, Parker / A.10521, Mosley: This legislation will prohibit a utility corporation or

municipality from terminating or disconnecting services to any residential customer for the
nonpayment of an overdue charge for the duration of the COVID-19 State of Emergency. This
moratorium will last 180 days from the expiration of the COVID-19 State of Emergency for
those residential customers that have experienced a change in financial circumstances, and the
utility corporation or municipality must offer such residential customers the right to enter into,
or restructure, a deferred payment agreement without the requirement of a down payment,
late fees or penalties.