Question 1

What does an eviction lawyer actually cost in New York?

Accepted Answer

Based on 2024–2025 attorney surveys and published fee schedules, a small landlord in New York typically spends between $1,500 and $10,000 to take a case from notice through judgment. A straightforward uncontested nonpayment usually runs $1,500–$3,500 (flat fee). A contested holdover — nuisance, lease violation, or Good Cause non-renewal — is more often $4,000–$10,000+ because it requires drafting a particularized notice, appearing multiple times, and briefing motions. Appeals, orders to show cause, and post-judgment stays are billed on top. These are averages, not quotes — always get a written engagement letter.

Question 2

How long does an eviction usually take?

Accepted Answer

Nonpayment: 3–6 months from the 14-day demand to a warrant of eviction, if uncontested. Holdover (non-renewal, lease violation, nuisance): 4–9 months. Contested cases, tenants represented by legal-services attorneys, and any pandemic-era backlog can add 3–6+ months. Regulated tenancies routinely take a year or more.

Question 3

Can I do this without a lawyer?

Accepted Answer

If you own the property individually (not through an LLC, corporation, or partnership), you may appear pro se in New York. That does NOT mean it's a good idea. The most common cause of dismissal is a defective notice — something a self-drafting owner almost always gets wrong. Reveni's position is that even individual owners should have counsel draft or review the predicate notice.

Question 4

The tenant hasn't signed a lease. Are they a squatter?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Accepting rent, letting someone stay for a long time, or an oral agreement can all create a tenancy in NY. If you file a licensee or squatter proceeding against someone who is actually a tenant, the case is dismissed. Confirm the classification with counsel before choosing this path.

Question 5

What is a predicate notice?

Accepted Answer

It's the written notice you have to give the tenant BEFORE you file a court petition. Depending on the case, it might be a 14-day rent demand, a notice to cure, a notice of termination, or a 30/60/90-day notice under RPL § 226-c. Get this wrong and the whole case falls apart.

Question 6

What is the § 231-c disclosure?

Accepted Answer

It's the written disclosure the Good Cause Eviction law requires landlords to give tenants explaining whether the unit is covered by Good Cause. It's required EVEN IF your property is exempt (for example, small-owner exempt). Missing it is one of the fastest dismissals we see.

Question 7

What kind of tenant does each case journey describe?

Accepted Answer

Nonpayment: the tenant is behind on rent — they may be working but short on cash, recently lost income, or disputing a charge on the ledger. Holdover / lease violation: the tenant is paying rent but breaking a specific lease rule — unauthorized pet, extra occupant, subletting, or similar. Holdover / nuisance: the tenant is repeatedly causing serious problems — threats, damage, illegal activity, or conduct that endangers neighbors. Holdover / non-renewal: the tenant has done nothing wrong; you simply do not want to renew the lease when it ends (Good Cause may still apply). Licensee / squatter: the occupant never had a lease with you — a former guest who stayed, an ex-partner of a tenant, or someone who moved in without permission. Outside NYC nonpayment: the same nonpayment profile as above, but the property is upstate or on Long Island where local court rules and forms differ from NYC.

Question 8

Are the paid workspace features available now?

Accepted Answer

No. The document workspace, AI form review, cross-device dashboard, and some directory features are still in development and will be released at a later time. The current version of Reveni is free and gives you your classification, readiness score, and case timeline.

Question 9

I'm a first-generation immigrant homeowner. Will Reveni work for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The law is the same, but the process can feel harder when English is not your first language or when U.S. court paperwork is unfamiliar. Reveni defines every term, moves one question at a time, and flags the exact steps where a translator or lawyer is worth the cost. The goal is to stop a small paperwork mistake from getting your case dismissed.