The landlord must first serve a proper written rent demand giving the tenant time to pay. If the tenant does not pay, a non-payment petition is filed at Brooklyn Housing Court. The court will schedule a hearing. An attorney can handle all filings, service, and court appearances on your behalf.
Brooklyn Landlord-Tenant Attorney
Brooklyn Landlord-Tenant Lawyer
Expert legal representation for landlords and tenants in Brooklyn. From non-payment evictions to habitability claims, rent stabilization, and tenant rights.
Brooklyn rental market
The Brooklyn Rental Market - What You're Dealing With
Brooklyn is one of the most active landlord-tenant markets in New York City. With rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Bedford-Stuyvesant sitting alongside long-established rent-stabilized communities in Crown Heights, Flatbush, and East New York, the borough sees a high volume of non-payment cases, eviction proceedings, and tenant rights claims. Both landlords managing multi-unit properties and tenants defending against displacement need knowledgeable legal counsel who understands Brooklyn's unique housing landscape.
Legal framework
Key Landlord-Tenant Laws in Brooklyn
These statutes govern every landlord-tenant matter in Brooklyn. Understanding them is the foundation of effective representation.
Rent Stabilization
Governs permissible rent increases, lease renewals, and tenant succession rights for stabilized units across Brooklyn.
RPAPL § 711
Defines the lawful grounds for eviction proceedings - including non-payment and holdover - in Brooklyn Housing Court.
Real Property Law § 235-b
The warranty of habitability requires landlords to maintain safe, livable conditions. Violations are a defense in eviction proceedings.
Security Deposit Cap
Under the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (2019), security deposits are capped at one month's rent for most residential leases.
Legal services
How We Help Brooklyn Landlords & Tenants
Non-Payment & Holdover
Eviction Proceedings
Non-payment and holdover proceedings handled from start to finish - proper notice service, petition filing, court appearances, and warrant of eviction. For landlords pursuing possession and tenants defending their homes.
Warranty of Habitability
DHCR Proceedings
Rent Stabilization & DHCR
Rent overcharge complaints, IAI applications, succession proceedings, and preferential rent disputes before the Division of Housing and Community Renewal. Complex matters handled with precision. See landlord resources →
Admin Code § 27-2005
Illegal Lockouts & Harassment
Illegal lockouts and landlord harassment are actionable in NYC Housing Court. Tenants can seek emergency relief and civil penalties. We act fast to restore possession and stop ongoing harassment. See tenant resources →
Stay informed
2024–2025 Legal Updates Affecting Brooklyn
Good Cause Eviction Law
- Enacted April 2024 - applies to many unregulated apartments in NYC
- Caps rent increases at 5% + CPI for covered units
- Requires landlords to show "good cause" before evicting or refusing lease renewal
- Significantly changes the landlord-tenant dynamic in Brooklyn
IAI Caps (Individual Apartment Improvement)
- Standard IAI cap: $30,000 per unit for rent-stabilized apartments
- Extended cap: $50,000 if no IAI work in prior 15 years and tenant occupied 25+ years
- All IAI work must be documented and registered with DHCR
Why choose us
Trusted Brooklyn Landlord-Tenant Representation
01
Deep Brooklyn Experience
We appear regularly in Brooklyn Housing Court - we know the local procedures, the judges, and what it takes to win. That familiarity translates directly into better outcomes for our clients.
02
03
Swift, Strategic Action
Housing Court timelines are tight. We file quickly, prepare thoroughly, and move your case forward without delay - minimizing your exposure and maximizing your leverage.
04
Free Initial Consultation
Understand your legal position at no cost. We'll assess your case, explain your options, and give you an honest evaluation before you commit to anything.
Helpful resources
Resources for Brooklyn Landlords & Tenants
We serve all of NYC
Also Serving Other Boroughs
Get legal help in Brooklyn
Schedule Your Free Brooklyn Consultation
Need a landlord-tenant attorney in Brooklyn? Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced NYC landlord-tenant lawyer.
FAQ
Brooklyn - Frequently Asked Questions
An uncontested non-payment case in Brooklyn typically resolves in 4–8 weeks. Contested cases with hearings can take 3–6 months. Holdover cases vary. We work to minimize delays at every stage.
Appear in court on your scheduled date. Do not default - a default judgment means immediate eviction. An attorney can review the case for procedural defects, assert habitability defenses, negotiate a stipulation with time to pay or move, or take the case to trial.
You have the right to lease renewal at legal regulated rents, succession rights for qualifying family members, protection from rent overcharges, and the right to a habitable apartment. Your landlord must follow strict DHCR procedures before any changes to your tenancy.
Yes. The Good Cause Eviction law (L. 2024) applies across all of NYC, including Brooklyn. It protects many unregulated tenants from arbitrary eviction and caps rent increases. Whether your unit is covered depends on several factors - contact us to find out.
You can, but it is risky. Housing Court has specific rules, forms, and procedures. Landlords almost always have attorneys. Tenants without legal representation are far more likely to receive unfavorable outcomes. A free consultation costs nothing and could save your home or your property.