New York Housing Court Filing Checklist

Court: Housing Court, [________________________________] (NYC) / City Court / Town/Village Justice Court
Index Number: [________________________________]
Petitioner (Landlord): [________________________________]
Respondent (Tenant): [________________________________]
Property Address: [________________________________]
Filing Attorney: [________________________________]
Date Prepared: [__/__/____]

I. Good Cause Eviction Law (Effective April 2024)

Applicability

☐ Determine if Good Cause Eviction law applies
☐ Covered tenants have additional protections
☐ Must have "good cause" to evict

Notice of Applicability

☐ Starting August 2024: Landlord must provide notice
☐ Whether property covered or not covered

II. Pre-Filing Notice Requirements

Nonpayment Proceeding

☐ 14-day written demand for rent (RPAPL 711)
☐ Rent demand served: [__/__/____]
☐ 14 days expired: [__/__/____]

Holdover Proceeding

☐ Termination of tenancy notice required
☐ 30/60/90 days depending on length of tenancy:
☐ Under 1 year: 30 days
☐ 1-2 years: 60 days
☐ Over 2 years: 90 days
☐ Notice served: [__/__/____]
☐ Notice period expired: [__/__/____]

III. Petition and Notice of Petition

Petition Contents

☐ Petitioner (landlord) information
☐ Respondent (tenant) information
☐ Property description
☐ Lease information
☐ Grounds for proceeding
☐ Relief sought
☐ Verification

Notice of Petition

☐ Hearing date
☐ Time and place
☐ Must give minimum 5-12 days notice

IV. Filing

NYC Housing Court

☐ File with Housing Court Clerk
☐ All boroughs have Housing Court

Filing Fee

☐ Filing fee: Approximately $45 (verify)
☐ Fee paid

V. Service Requirements

Methods

☐ Personal service on tenant
☐ Substituted service (leave with person + mail)
☐ Conspicuous place service (post + mail) - as last resort

Service Timing

☐ Serve 5-12 days before hearing (personal)
☐ 10-17 days if substituted service

Proof of Service

☐ Affidavit of Service filed
☐ Filed before hearing

VI. Hearing

First Court Date

☐ Hearing date: [__/__/____]
☐ Both parties appear
☐ May result in:
☐ Adjournment
☐ Settlement/stipulation
☐ Trial scheduled

Right to Counsel

☐ NYC provides free lawyers for low-income tenants
☐ Adjournment for counsel may be granted

VII. Judgment and Warrant

If Landlord Wins

☐ Judgment of possession entered
☐ Money judgment (if applicable)
☐ Warrant of eviction issued

Warrant Execution

☐ Warrant delivered to Marshal/Sheriff
☐ Marshal posts notice
☐ Eviction scheduled

Stay of Eviction

☐ Tenant may request stay
☐ Pay rent arrears to obtain stay

VIII. Tenant Defenses

☐ Improper notice
☐ Rent paid
☐ Breach of warranty of habitability
☐ Retaliatory eviction
☐ Rent overcharge
☐ Discrimination

IX. Rent-Stabilized Units

☐ Additional protections apply
☐ DHCR registration
☐ Limited grounds for eviction
☐ Renewal rights

Sources and References

• RPAPL: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/RPA
• NYC Housing Court: https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/housing
• Good Cause Eviction: https://hcr.ny.gov/eviction

Prepared by: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]