If you have suffered financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and were unable to pay some or all of your rent, or if moving from your home during the pandemic would pose a hardship, you can be protected from being evicted until at least August 31, 2021 if you provide a document called a Hardship Declaration to your landlord, to their attorney or agent, or to the Housing Court.

Under an exception to the law, eviction cases against tenants who persistently and unreasonably behave in a way that substantially infringes on the use or enjoyment of other tenants or that causes substantial safety hazard to others may be allowed to proceed in court during this period.

If you receive legal papers stating that your landlord has asked the Housing Court to enforce or restore an eviction order, or if you receive a warrant of eviction from a marshal, you should contact OCJ to be connected with a free lawyer who can assist you.

If you are facing a motion by your landlord to proceed with an eviction warrant against you, OCJ can provide you with free legal representation through our nonprofit legal services provider partners.

All tenants who are currently facing eviction warrants are eligible, regardless of ZIP code, immigration status or whether the tenant may have previously declined or been found ineligible for legal representation under the Universal Access program, and regardless of household income under an income waiver by OCJ.

• Call (718) 557-1379 or (212) 962-4795 from Monday – Friday, between 9am and 5pm
• Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline
• Email OCJ at civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov. Please provide a name, telephone number, and Housing Court case index number for your eviction case (if known) in your email.
• Contact a nonprofit law office near you. Click here for a list of OCJ’s nonprofit law office partners that provide free legal help for tenants.

If you have suffered financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and were unable to pay some or all of your rent, or if moving from your home during the pandemic would pose a hardship, you can be protected from being evicted until at least August 31, 2021 if you provide a document called a Hardship Declaration to your landlord, to their attorney or agent, or to the Housing Court.

Under an exception to the law, eviction cases against tenants who persistently and unreasonably behave in a way that substantially infringes on the use or enjoyment of other tenants or that causes substantial safety hazard to others may be allowed to proceed in court during this period.

It is illegal for a landlord to evict you without filing an eviction case against you in court or before there is a court order allowing a marshal to evict you.  If you think that you have been locked out illegally, you can file a case (an "illegal lockout" or "Restore to Possession" case) in Housing Court. 

If you think that you have been illegally locked out of your home by your landlord, OCJ can provide free legal services through our nonprofit legal services provider partners to help you with an "illegal lockout" case in Housing Court.

All tenants who are currently facing an illegal lockout by their landlord are eligible, regardless of ZIP code, immigration status or whether the tenant may have previously declined or been found ineligible for legal representation under the Universal Access program, and regardless of household income under an income waiver by OCJ.

• Call (718) 557-1379 or (212) 962-4795 from Monday – Friday, between 9am and 5pm
• Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline
• Email OCJ at civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov. Please provide a name, telephone number, and Housing Court case index number for your case (if you have one) in your email.
• Contact a nonprofit law office near you. Click here for a list of OCJ’s nonprofit law office partners that provide free legal help for tenants.

If you have suffered financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and were unable to pay some or all of your rent, or if moving from your home during the pandemic would pose a hardship, you can be protected from being evicted until at least August 31, 2021 if you provide a document called a Hardship Declaration to your landlord, to their attorney or agent, or to the Housing Court.

Under an exception to the law, eviction cases against tenants who persistently and unreasonably behave in a way that substantially infringes on the use or enjoyment of other tenants or that causes substantial safety hazard to others may be allowed to proceed in court during this period.

If you receive court papers indicating that your landlord is trying to evict you, or a notice from Housing Court scheduling an appearance in eviction case, you should speak with a lawyer who can advise you on what you need to do next to protect your rights as a tenant.

If you are facing an eviction case, OCJ can provide free legal help through our nonprofit legal services provider partners to provide you with legal representation or other assistance in your case in Housing Court.

Tenants are eligible for legal services, regardless of ZIP code, immigration status or whether the tenant may have previously declined or been found ineligible for legal representation under the Universal Access program.

• Call (718) 557-1379 or (212) 962-4795 from Monday – Friday, between 9am and 5pm
• Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline
• Email OCJ at civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov. Please provide a name, telephone number, and Housing Court case index number for your eviction case in your email.
• Contact a nonprofit law office near you. Click here for a list of OCJ’s nonprofit law office partners that provide free legal help for tenants.

If you have suffered financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and were unable to pay some or all of your rent, or if moving from your home during the pandemic would pose a hardship, you can be protected from being evicted until at least August 31, 2021 if you provide a document called a Hardship Declaration to your landlord, to their attorney or agent, or to the Housing Court.

Under an exception to the law, eviction cases against tenants who persistently and unreasonably behave in a way that substantially infringes on the use or enjoyment of other tenants or that causes substantial safety hazard to others may be allowed to proceed in court during this period.

If you are facing an administrative eviction proceeding, OCJ can provide free legal help through our nonprofit legal services provider partners to provide you with legal advice or other assistance.

All tenants are eligible for these legal services, regardless of ZIP code, immigration status or whether the tenant may have previously declined or been found ineligible for legal assistance under the Universal Access program.

• Call (718) 557-1379 or (212) 962-4795 from Monday – Friday, between 9am and 5pm
• Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline
• Email OCJ at civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov.  Please provide a name, telephone number, and number for your case in your email.
• Contact a nonprofit law office near you. Click here for a list of OCJ’s nonprofit law office partners that provide free legal help for tenants.

If your landlord refuses to fix a serious or hazardous condition in your home, such as mold, peeling lead paint, or a leak, or if your landlord is not providing critical services that you are legally entitled to, such as heat, hot water, gas, electricity, or adequate security, you can file a case in Housing Court (an HP action) to ask a judge to order your landlord to make these repairs.

If you are a tenant and you have questions about harassment by your landlord, repairs in your apartment or building, or your rights as a renter, please call311and ask for the Tenant Helpline, or visit the City's online Tenant Resource Portal for information and access to resources for New York City tenants, including free legal assistance through OCJ’s nonprofit legal services providers partners.