Your First Day in NYC Housing Court: What to Expect

Which courthouse and where to go

NYC Housing Court is not one building — it is a division of the Civil Court located in each of the five boroughs:

• Manhattan (New York County) — 111 Centre Street
• Brooklyn (Kings County) — 141 Livingston Street
• Queens (Queens County) — 89-17 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica
• Bronx (Bronx County) — 1118 Grand Concourse
• Staten Island (Richmond County) — 927 Castleton Avenue

Arrive at the courthouse at least 30 minutes before your case is called. Security lines can be long. Bring a photo ID. No food or large bags. Phones must be silenced inside courtrooms.

The Part system

Cases are assigned to "Parts" — individual courtrooms each with their own judge or attorney for the court. Your notice of petition will list your Part letter (e.g., "Part D" or "Part H"). Check the board near the clerk's window for room assignments — these can change.

What happens in the courtroom

Housing Court is "call-over" style: the clerk calls all cases in the Part, and attorneys or parties answer "ready" or ask for a short wait. The room can be chaotic with dozens of cases being managed simultaneously. Do not be alarmed — this is normal.

When your case is called, you will step to the front. The judge or court attorney will ask each side to briefly explain their position. This first appearance is almost never a trial — it is a status conference.

Stipulations: the most common outcome

The vast majority of Housing Court cases settle by "stipulation" — a written agreement read into the record and signed by both parties. Common stipulation terms:

• Tenant agrees to pay all arrears by a specific date, or judgment is entered automatically ("on default").
• Tenant agrees to vacate by a specific date in exchange for the landlord waiving some back rent ("cash for keys").
• Case is adjourned to a future date to allow tenant to pay or obtain housing assistance.

You do not need a lawyer to negotiate a stipulation, but you should read it carefully before signing. Court attorneys (staff attorneys provided by the court) can review stipulations with both sides and ensure they are fair.

Right to Counsel in NYC

Since 2017, NYC has been rolling out universal right to counsel for low-income tenants in Housing Court. As of 2023, the program covers all five boroughs. This means many tenants will have a free attorney by their second or third appearance. Expect longer timelines as a result — attorneys will often request adjournments to prepare a defense.

What to bring

• A copy of the lease
• Rent ledger showing all payments and arrears
• Copy of the Notice of Petition and Petition you filed
• Affidavit of Service for the predicate notice and petition
• Any communications with the tenant (emails, texts) relevant to the dispute
• Photo ID

Organize documents chronologically. Judges appreciate landlords who are prepared and precise.

Tone and conduct

Be respectful and brief. Housing Court judges handle 50–100 cases a day. State facts, not emotions. If you have an attorney, let them speak. If you are self-represented (pro se), tell the judge at the start. Court attorneys and clerks are generally helpful to pro se parties who are polite and prepared.