Official resources
These are official government and bar-association resources. Reveni does not endorse any specific attorney or firm. Under each link, we've added a plain-language explanation of what it is and why a small landlord would use it.
New York courts
Where housing cases are actually filed and heard. Start here before you file anything.
- NY Unified Court System — Landlord/Tenant self-help
The court system's own guide. Use it to find your correct court, look up forms, and read plain-language explanations of terms judges will use.
- NYC Civil Court — Housing Part
If your property is in one of the five boroughs, this is the court that handles evictions. This page lists the addresses, hours, and how to file.
- Landlord's Guide to Nonpayment (Outside NYC), May 2025
The official step-by-step guide for owners outside NYC who want to bring a nonpayment case. Use this instead of NYC-specific instructions if your property is in the suburbs or upstate.
Regulation & registration
Before you serve any notice, confirm the unit's regulation status and that your building is properly registered.
- NY DHCR — Homes & Community Renewal
Order a free rent history for your unit. This tells you whether the apartment is rent-stabilized. If you skip this step and the unit turns out to be regulated, your case will be dismissed.
- NYC HPD — Property registration
NYC buildings with three or more units must file an annual property registration. Judges throw out cases where the registration is lapsed — always confirm this is current before filing.
Statute (the official text of the law)
The actual laws that control what you can and can't do. When in doubt, read the statute — not a summary.
- RPAPL — Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law
This is the eviction procedure statute. § 711 covers nonpayment, § 735 covers service, § 749 covers the warrant of eviction.
- RPL — Real Property Law
This is the landlord-tenant substantive law. § 226-c covers termination notice length (30 / 60 / 90 days). § 231-c is the small-owner Good Cause disclosure.
- Judiciary Law
§§ 478 and 484 explain why LLCs, corporations, and partnerships can't appear in court without a lawyer.
Free legal help (referrals only — we don't endorse)
If a lawyer is beyond your budget, these are the two main bar-association referral services.
- NYC Bar Legal Referral Service
Bar-run service that matches you with a licensed NYC attorney for a brief consultation, often at a reduced rate.
- NYSBA Lawyer Referral
The statewide bar association's referral service — use this if your property is outside NYC.