How Difficult Is Filing a Case Against Your Landlord in New York City?

Tenants in New York City have numerous rights, including living in safe, sanitary, well-maintained rental accommodation free from hazardous conditions and pests. Tenants are further protected from discrimination and harassment, such as illegal eviction. Unfortunately, not all landlords honor their legal responsibilities, and some put profits before the well-being of their tenants.  

However, you do not have to accept substandard housing, discrimination, or getting hurt due to a lack of maintenance. If your landlord violated your rights and state or federal laws, you could have legal recourse and potentially recover compensation. Morgan & Morgan has your back. Our tenant attorneys can help you hold a landlord to account and receive damages. Get in touch with us now to determine your options in a free case evaluation.

Potential Benefits of Suing Your Landlord in New York City

While filing a lawsuit against a landlord is not a walk in the park, tenants could enjoy some potential advantages, such as: 

Settling Out-of-Court

When you hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit against your landlord, you signal that you are serious about asserting your legal rights and pursuing compensation for your damages. Getting a demand letter or summons in the mail could motivate your landlord to settle to avoid going to court and fighting a potentially expensive and lengthy lawsuit. 

Receive What You Are Owed

If your landlord withheld your security deposit for no reason, or you incurred astronomical medical costs due to an avoidable injury, you might be owed substantial amounts. If you decide to sue your landlord and win, you will receive what you are owed and possibly over and above that amount. In some states, landlords have to pay additional penalties for withholding your security deposit. You could also receive damages if your apartment was uninhabitable for some time, such as pain and suffering.

Avert an Eviction

If your landlord is unlawfully trying to evict and harass you, for example, by changing locks or removing your belongings, you could sue them. If you win the case, you can remain in your rental apartment or house. 

Filing a lawsuit against your landlord is not risk-free, however. Legal expenses, such as court filing fees, can work out to be expensive. Moreover, there is no guarantee that you will win the lawsuit. However, a professional and experienced lawyer by your side can reduce the risks of litigation and guide you through the legal system. 

Do You Have a Good Reason for Suing Your NYC Landlord?

The courts cannot solve all problems between landlords and renters. Being unhappy with your landlord, the decorative order of the property, or the rent—none of these qualify for a lawsuit. However, tenants can have legitimate reasons for filing a legal claim against their landlord in New York City, including: 

A Landlord Fails to Make Necessary Repairs

You have the right to safe, livable, and clean housing. Your rental apartment or house must meet basic requirements to be considered safe and livable, such as safe electrical wiring, working plumbing, heating, and hot water. In New York City, you can file a so-called “Housing Part” or “HP” case in the Housing Court. With an HP claim, you could force your landlord to make the necessary repairs to your rental property and provide basic services such as hot water and heating. Mold or a pest infestation could also qualify for legal action.

Harassment

In NYC, tenants can initiate a claim of harassment in the Housing Court. A case of harassment can arise when a landlord tries to evict tenants illegally. Unlawful actions by landlords can include:

• Using physical force or verbal threats
• Turning off essential services such as electricity and water
• Filing baseless court actions
• Removing tenants’ possessions
• Tampering with or removing locks

Any other repeated behaviors that significantly interfere with a lawful tenant’s peace and quiet could also qualify as harassment. Tenants can seek a court order to stop getting harassed by their landlord. 

Negligence

If you suffered an injury due to a landlord’s negligence, you could sue them under premises liability law. Common types of premises liability cases in New York City include:

Slips and Falls

If you tripped and fell due to a dangerous condition in your apartment building, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other costs you incurred as a result of your fall. Hazardous conditions can include, among others:

• Faulty wiring
• Broken flooring
• Missing handrails
• Uneven steps
• Cluttered and obstructed walkways

Generally, the dangerous condition must be outside your apartment to have a case, although there are exceptions. For example, if your landlord’s poor repair job inside your apartment led to your injury, you could also have a case. In a premises liability claim, you will have to prove that your landlord knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and did nothing to repair or warn of the issue. 

An attorney from Morgan & Morgan can determine whether you have a claim and help you file a case against your landlord in NYC.

Discrimination

Discrimination in housing is illegal in NYC based on federal and state laws. Therefore, if you are the victim of discrimination in housing, you could have a case against your landlord. Discrimination can occur due to: 

1. Age (actual or perceived)
2. Citizenship
3. Color
4. Race
5. Religion
6. Disability
7. Family status
8. Gender (including gender expression and gender identity)

Disabled New Yorkers have further protections and rights. For example, a landlord must provide reasonable accommodations to provide equal access to housing. You could also be entitled to keep a service animal in your rental property, such as a guide dog or emotional support animal. 

Discrimination cases can be complex. In the first instance, you should file a complaint with the Law Enforcement Bureau of the NYC Commission on Human Rights within one year of the alleged discrimination incident. You could also file a lawsuit against your landlord. 

If you want to file a case against your landlord in NYC, consider speaking to one of our experienced attorneys about your specific case. Let us walk you through your legal options and determine your next best steps. 

Is Suing a New York City Landlord Difficult?

How difficult pursuing a claim against your landlord in NYC will be can depend on your type of case. For example, you should consider professional legal representation if you have to take a landlord to court because you got injured due to their negligence. As a general rule, cases with high damages such as medical bills, wage loss, and pain and suffering can be more challenging and contested than a simple dispute about a security deposit, which could be resolved in a small claims court.

New York City landlord and tenant legal issues can be complex and involve various state and federal laws. Moreover, the administrative procedures, statutes of limitations, filing requirements, and other regulations can be confusing to navigate without a dedicated attorney experienced in landlord and tenant law.

Depending on your type of case, you may have to file a complaint with a local agency before you can sue your landlord. Strict time limits may apply. Therefore, if you intend on filing a legal dispute with a landlord, consider consulting with a lawyer and take advantage of a free consultation to determine your options. An attorney from Morgan & Morgan can explain your legal rights and determine the best course of action to get what you deserve.