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New York City · Eviction timeline

How long does an eviction take in New York City? (2026 timeline)

NYC Housing Court is one of the slowest eviction jurisdictions in the United States. An uncontested nonpayment case — where the tenant files no response and doesn't appear — takes a minimum of 6–10 weeks from start to finish. A contested case with a trial can take 4–9 months or longer. Here is the exact timeline, broken down by stage.

⚠️ This page provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and individual circumstances vary. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your specific situation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an uncontested eviction take in NYC?
An uncontested NYC nonpayment eviction — where the tenant does not appear at any court date and files no response — typically takes 6–10 weeks from start to finish: 14 days for the rent demand, 1–2 weeks for filing and service, 10–17 days to the first court date, and 3–10 days for the marshal to execute the warrant after judgment. Delays due to court scheduling and adjournments can push this to 12–16 weeks.
What is the fastest way to evict a tenant in NYC?
The fastest outcomes in NYC Housing Court come from: serving the predicate notice correctly the first time (no defects, proper service), negotiating a stipulation (agreed payment plan or move-out date) in the Resolution Part on the first court date, and in some cases offering a 'cash for keys' arrangement — paying the tenant to leave voluntarily. Cash for keys avoids court entirely and can be completed in days rather than weeks.
Can a tenant delay an eviction in NYC?
Yes. Tenants have several tools to delay: requesting adjournments (additional court dates), raising procedural defenses to the predicate notice, filing for bankruptcy (which triggers an automatic stay), raising habitability defenses, or simply not appearing. Right to Counsel attorneys are skilled at using procedural tools to maximize delay. Landlords with clean paperwork and organized documentation are in a much stronger position to resist delay tactics.

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NYC Eviction Timeline — How Long Does It Take to Evict a Tenant? (2026) | Counsel | Counsel