Do not ignore it. Read the notice carefully - it will specify the reason and any deadline to respond or pay. Contact an attorney immediately. In NYC, you have the right to appear in Housing Court and present a defense. Time is critical.
For Tenants
NYC Tenant Lawyer: Protecting Your Home and Your Rights
From wrongful eviction defense to habitability claims and rent overcharge recovery, we fight for tenants across all five NYC boroughs.
What we handle
Tenant Legal Services in New York City
Whether you're facing eviction or asserting your rights as a renter, we provide skilled tenant advocacy in NYC Housing Court and before the DHCR.
Wrongful Eviction Defense
Defending tenants in non-payment and holdover proceedings. We review the landlord's case for procedural defects, raise valid defenses, and protect your right to remain in your home.
Habitability Claims
If your landlord has failed to address leaks, mold, heat outages, or pest infestations, we assert your rights under the warranty of habitability and compel repairs.
Harassment & Retaliation Defense
Landlord harassment (illegal lockouts, utility shutoffs, threatening behavior) is unlawful in NYC. We take legal action to stop it and pursue remedies on your behalf.
Rent Overcharge Recovery
In a rent-stabilized apartment and your landlord overcharged you? You may be entitled to a refund of up to triple the overcharged amount. We file DHCR complaints and pursue recovery.
Know your rights
What NYC Law Guarantees You as a Tenant
New York City has some of the strongest tenant protections in the country. Here's what the law guarantees you.
1M+
Rent-stabilized units in NYC
Rent Stabilization
Millions of NYC apartments are rent-stabilized, limiting annual rent increases and protecting your right to lease renewal. If you're in a stabilized unit, your landlord must follow strict DHCR procedures before changing the terms of your tenancy.
RPL § 235-b
Warranty of Habitability
Habitability Standards
Your landlord must maintain your apartment in livable condition: heat, hot water, structural soundness, and freedom from pests. Violations are a complete defense in eviction proceedings and grounds for a rent reduction.
RPAPL § 711
Eviction Protections
Eviction Protections
A landlord cannot evict you without a court order and a lawful basis. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) are illegal in New York and expose the landlord to significant liability.
NYC Admin Code
§ 27-2005 Anti-Harassment
Anti-Harassment Protections
NYC Admin Code § 27-2005 prohibits landlord harassment designed to force tenants out of rent-regulated apartments. Violations can result in significant civil penalties and a court order compelling the landlord to stop.
Why clients choose us
Tenant Advocacy That Takes Your Case Seriously
01
Housing Court Since 2015
Edwin Maria has been appearing in NYC Housing Courts since 2015. He knows the procedures in Queens, how Brooklyn judges approach habitability defenses, and what arguments land in Manhattan. That borough-level familiarity is built over years. It's not something you pick up overnight.
02
You Work With the Attorney
You'll deal directly with Edwin, not handed off to a paralegal. He reviews your case, explains your options plainly, and gives you an honest read of where you stand before recommending anything.
03
We Push Back When It Matters
Improper evictions, procedurally defective filings, landlord misconduct: we don't let these slide. When fighting is in your best interest, we fight. When a negotiated outcome protects you better, we tell you that too.
04
Landlord Experience Works in Your Favor
Edwin also represents landlords - which means he understands exactly what your landlord is trying to accomplish and what arguments they're likely to make. That perspective makes his tenant representation sharper than a one-sided advocate's.
100+
Cases handled
4
NYC Boroughs served
Free
Initial consultation
Both
Landlords & Tenants
Where we practice
Tenant Lawyers Serving All NYC Boroughs
Contact Us
Available Across NYC
Start With a Free Consultation
Every case begins with a conversation. Tell us what you're facing and we'll tell you exactly where you stand - no obligation, no pressure.
Free Consultation
Get Your Free Tenant Consultation
Facing eviction, harassment, or habitability issues? Don't wait - speak with NYC tenant lawyer Edwin Maria today for a free, confidential review of your situation.
We're Here When You Need Us Most
The Law Office of Edwin Maria provides expert legal representation for tenants throughout New York City. Whether you're facing eviction, a rent dispute, or a DHCR proceeding - we're ready to act fast on your behalf.
FAQ
Tenant Legal Services - Frequently Asked Questions
No. For rent-stabilized tenants, increases must follow RGB guidelines and proper renewal lease procedures. For unregulated apartments subject to Good Cause Eviction (L. 2024), increases above 5% + CPI may require justification.
Your landlord has a legal obligation to maintain habitable conditions under Real Property Law § 235-b. You can report violations to HPD (311), assert a warranty of habitability defense in court, or bring a separate proceeding for a rent reduction. An attorney can advise on the best approach.
Harassment includes illegal lockouts, shutting off utilities, threats, excessive entry, and buyout pressure designed to force you out. It violates NYC Admin Code § 27-2005. You can bring a harassment proceeding in Housing Court and may be entitled to civil penalties against your landlord.
You cannot simply stop paying rent without legal risk. However, you can pay rent into court (escrow) while asserting a warranty of habitability defense. An attorney can help you do this correctly so you are protected while your landlord is compelled to make repairs.
If you are in a rent-stabilized apartment and your landlord has charged more than the legally permitted rent, that is a rent overcharge. You can file a complaint with the DHCR or raise it as a defense in Housing Court. If willful, you may recover up to triple the overcharged amount for the prior 6 years.