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If you are a New York City tenant dealing with a rent dispute, call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline. You can also call Housing Court Answers at 718-557-1379 or 212-962-4795. If you have an eviction case, keep your Housing Court index number handy. The right route depends on whether there is a court case, how soon a court date or other deadline is, and whether you qualify for free representation.
First, work out whether there is a court case or an urgent risk
Look at any papers from the court or your landlord for a case index number, court date, warrant, or motion. A nonpayment case is a landlord’s court case to collect rent; a holdover case seeks eviction for a reason other than unpaid rent. These terms help an intake worker direct you to the right service.
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If you have a court date, do not skip it. NYC’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) says Right-to-Counsel providers connect with tenants at their first Housing Court conference, and an eligible tenant can ask for an attorney at that appearance. Confirm the date and current procedures with the court. For a warrant, lockout, or a deadline, contact the court or Tenant Helpline promptly.
New York City states that the only legal way for a landlord to evict a tenant who will not leave voluntarily is through a Housing Court eviction proceeding. If you are locked out without a court order, tell the Tenant Helpline or a legal-services provider when you contact them. NYC HRA’s tenant legal-services page identifies lockouts, warrants, enforcement or restoration motions, and NYCHA termination matters as issues to raise.
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Start with the Tenant Helpline or Housing Court Answers
Call 311 and ask for the “Tenant Helpline,” or contact Housing Court Answers at 718-557-1379 or 212-962-4795. The New York State Unified Court System lists the Housing Court Answers numbers as available weekdays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; check the court’s current tenant-rights page for current contact details. The city says Right-to-Counsel services are available in every NYC ZIP code and regardless of immigration status for covered eviction proceedings.
If you have an eviction case and use HRA’s email contact route, include your name, telephone number, and case index number. The helpline or provider can help identify whether the matter fits a legal-services program and what to do next. Intake determines eligibility and the level of service; not every tenant or rent disagreement automatically receives a lawyer for the entire case.
Could you qualify for a free lawyer in Housing Court?
New York City’s Universal Access to Legal Services law provides some tenants a free lawyer from start to finish in a Housing Court case. Eligibility depends on household size and income as well as case type. The court lists nonpayment and holdover cases, and specified NYCHA termination cases, among the covered matters. Its eligibility page publishes these household income thresholds:
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|---|---|
| 1 person | $29,160 |
| 2 people | $39,440 |
| 3 people | $49,720 |
| 4 people | $60,000 |
| More than 8 people | Add $10,280 per additional household member |
These are the thresholds displayed on the court’s Universal Access page, checked in 2026; confirm the current figures and your eligibility with an intake provider. If you have a pending case, the court also says you can call the listed numbers, ask a Clerk or Court Attorney at the courthouse about a free lawyer, or contact a nonprofit legal-services provider.
If your problem is not an eviction case
Questions about a lease, security deposit, serious unrepaired conditions, harassment, or another tenancy issue still merit help even if no eviction case is pending. Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline, or contact a nonprofit tenant legal-services provider. Describe any unsafe conditions, attempted lockout, or court paperwork clearly so the service can route your request.
The city’s HRA legal-services page lists situations including serious unrepaired conditions and lockouts without a court order. The NYC Tenant Bill of Rights is a useful orientation to housing quality, leases and deposits, eviction and illegal lockouts, harassment, and tenant organizing. It is not a substitute for legal advice or representation.
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Use a Housing Court Help Center for free procedural information
NYC Civil and Housing Court Help Centers offer free walk-in assistance to people without lawyers. Staff and volunteer attorneys can explain forms and court procedure, review court papers, and point to DIY programs and other resources. They do not take the place of an attorney representing you, and court staff cannot give legal advice.
Bring relevant papers, such as court documents, notices, a lease or written agreement, signed agreements, and court orders. No appointment is needed, but you may have to wait. The court’s NYC Civil Court Services page describes the walk-in arrangement. Check the relevant borough court’s current location and availability before going. Court materials also list volunteer lawyer consultations and the City Bar Justice Center Legal Hotline for low-income callers, including housing-law issues; confirm current hours and availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you can pay for a private lawyer
The New York City Bar Legal Referral Service can connect callers with screened metropolitan-area lawyers, including landlord-tenant attorneys. The court lists a $35 fee for the first half-hour consultation, while NYC311 says the initial consultation may be $35 or free depending on the case type. Confirm the fee when you contact the service. Any further work is charged at the lawyer’s rate, so ask about fees and scope before retaining counsel.
See the New York Courts legal-assistance listing, the NYC Bar Legal Referral Service, and NYC311’s Housing Court information for service details.
Prepare before you call or visit
Gather what you have; do not delay urgent contact because a document is missing. Keep originals and share copies when appropriate.
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- Court papers, landlord notices, warrants, motions, orders, and signed agreements or stipulations.
- Your lease or other written agreement, rent records, and communications with the landlord.
- Your name and a working telephone number for an intake service.
The HRA email route asks for your name, phone number, and case index number when there is an eviction case; Help Centers ask visitors to bring relevant legal papers.
Quick Recap
Choose the route that matches the help you need
| Need | Best starting point | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Possible free representation in an eviction case | 311 and request the Tenant Helpline, Housing Court Answers, or a courthouse Clerk or Court Attorney | Intake checks the case type, household eligibility, and service available. |
| Help understanding forms or procedure | NYC Civil or Housing Court Help Center | Free walk-in legal and procedural information; not ongoing representation. |
| Lease, repair, harassment, or other non-court tenancy problem | Tenant Helpline or nonprofit tenant legal-services provider | Explain the issue and any urgent safety, lockout, or deadline concerns. |
| Paid attorney consultation | NYC Bar Legal Referral Service | Referral to a screened lawyer; verify consultation fee and later rates. |
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