Most landlords are reasonable people. But sometimes you get unlucky and find that you’ve signed a lease with someone that is making your living situation very difficult. Constant unannounced visits, sneering emails about how the apartment should be used, and refusals to make required repairs are just some of the things you can go through. If you believe your landlord is trying to force you out by purposefully making your living situation difficult, then you could be within your rights to break the lease. But you could also be unlucky enough to have a landlord that is willing to sue you then. If that happens, then you need to know how to handle it.
Your rights as a tenant
NYC tenants benefit from a number of rights which you need to know – and advocate for – if you are to stay protected. Among these is the right to a well-maintained home and privacy. Leases will usually mention that tenants have the right “to the quiet enjoyment of your apartment.” This isn’t a right to literal quiet (something few New Yorker’s have) but the right to occupy the unit exclusively to others, including your landlord.
Stories of unscrupulous landlords trying to force tenants out in the interests of renting or selling for a higher price are sadly common in NYC. Some landlords are just too attached to a unit they formally lived in and try to dictate to a tenant how it should be lived in and maintained. If you feel like your apartment is becoming unlivable, then talk with a real estate attorney to see if you would be within your rights to move out early. If they believe so, then send a notice to the landlord of your intention to move out by a certain date.
At this point, most landlords will let it go rather than fighting a costly legal battle. But some are just crazy enough to sue anyway for the remaining rent. If that happens then get ready for a date in court. You may already have the law on your side, but if you want to be sure and make it go as smooth as possible, then it helps to be prepared. Here are five things you need to know and do before a court date with your landlord.
1. Know how your building affects your rights
Before talking with a lawyer, research the landlord-tenant laws in NYC to see exactly which laws your landlord is breaking. The NYC government website has a useful PDF on tenant rights and housing rules. Another source to check out is the Housing Preservation and Development’s ABC’s of Housing.
2. Get a good lawyer
Even if you feel confident that you’re within your rights, it’s still a good idea to lawyer up. It’s not as expensive as you might think and if things don’t go to court, it may only cost you a couple of billable hours. Talk to several lawyers before hiring one that you feel comfortable with. Like real estate agents, each lawyer has their individual style so you’ll want to find one that matches yours. At this point, your lawyer will take over all further communication with your landlord until you’ve moved out. A landlord is less likely to sue once they see you are represented and supported by the law. But this is no guarantee, and some landlords are crazy enough to sue anyway.
3. Document everything
If things go to court, you’ll need evidence to prove your landlord broke the law. Document everything to do with your landlord’s harassment or negligence. The sooner you start doing this, the better. If you don’t have any emails or letters, then record what was said at what time. If you’re recording negligence, then record the exact days it occurred. The more specific you are, the easier it is to prove your case.
4. Know the process
When the amount you’re being sued for is less than $5,000, then your case will go to the small claims court. The rules here are a lot less formal, and you don’t need to be represented by a lawyer. As part of this process, you’ll be assigned a mediator who will try and resolve the issue before it is heard by a judge. If you’ve hired a lawyer, they’ll be present at this mediation for which you’ll be paying them for every hour it takes. If you can settle with your landlord now, it is better to do so.
If the amount you’re being sued for is over $5,000, then the case will go to the Civil Court. Each borough has its own civil court, and each civil court has a housing court for landlord-tenant issues. For cases like this, you’ll want a lawyer. Make sure to read up on how the housing court works.
5. Know the costs (both monetary and personal) at all stages
It is rare for cases like this to go as far as the civil court. But then again, this is NYC and strange things happen every day. Even if you do win your case and don’t have to pay your landlord anything, there will still be costs involved. You will most likely lose your security deposit, and the bill for your lawyer will build up with each passing hour. There will also be personal and emotional costs. You won’t get the time back you spent studying your rights, hiring a lawyer and going through the courts. Being sued and going through a lengthy court case can also impact your ability to rent in the future. Know the costs at all stages.
