NYC Tenant Lawyer Blog

Simple, Straightforward & Direct Helps You Win in Housing Court

You do not have to be a Harvard law graduate and consummate persuader like the lawyers on television to do an effective job of representing yourself in Housing Court. The main principle to keep in mind is to tell the judge your side of the story in a simple, uncomplicated and honest way. The clear, direct approach delivers the strongest legal punch when it comes to defending your rights. Before the trial, write out the main points you intend to cover, and have an outline with you when you see the judge. Court proceedings can be intimidating for non-lawyers, and having some brief notes is an antidote to becoming nervous and tongue-tied. Tell your understanding of the facts and show the judge whatever evidence you have in proof of your claims. By following these time-tested rules, you stand the best chance of winning.

Attention New York City Tenants: See these three new pages on protecting your rights that have just been added to the McAdams Law main site:

• Lease Renewals
• Non-Primary Residence Cases
• Personal Use Suits

Please Note: Every McAdams Law Tenant Protection Tip and article is for informational purposes only and cannot substitute for legal advice. Before taking action, consult an experienced New York Landlord Tenant attorney about your situation. Beware that being a party in a lawsuit in New York City’s Housing Court can subject you to blacklisting. Please see more details here.

Click here to see valuable Back Issues , conveniently organized by topic.

McAdams Law
305 Broadway, Suite 610
New York, NY 10007
212-406-5145
Fax: (212) 619-0714

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Copyright 2011 McAdams Law

Call The State Attorney General With Security Deposit Complaints

If you have an issue with the landlord in getting your security deposit back, call the New York State Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds & Protection Bureau. Not all security deposit matters are sizable enough to warrant paying a Tenants’ lawyer for help. In some cases, the legal fees may exceed the amount of the deposit. Even if your lease provides for the landlord paying your legal fees if you prevail, it’s a real gamble to rely on it. The landlord may agree to return the security deposit once you hire an attorney, but still might not reimburse your legal fees. Even if you pursue recovery of these costs at trial, there’s no guarantee you’ll receive them. It’s simply not possible to predict with absolute certainly what will happen in court. However, calling the Consumer Frauds & Protection Bureau can start an investigation at no cost to you. This also may be enough to get your landlord to return your money, if you are legally entitled to receive it. Of course, if the landlord has a legitimate reason for retaining it, such as having to repair conditions you left in the apartment, then you won’t get it back. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have evidence such as photos and witnesses proving that you left the unit in good shape, in case the landlord says otherwise. You can get more information from the Bureau at 212-416-8000.

Attention New York City Tenants: See these three new pages on protecting your rights that have just been added to the McAdams Law main site:

• Lease Renewals
• Non-Primary Residence Cases
• Personal Use Suits

Please Note: Every McAdams Law Tenant Protection Tip and article is for informational purposes only and cannot substitute for legal advice. Before taking action, consult an experienced New York Landlord Tenant attorney about your situation. Beware that being a party in a lawsuit in New York City’s Housing Court can subject you to blacklisting. Please see more details here.

Click here to see valuable Back Issues , conveniently organized by topic.

McAdams Law
305 Broadway, Suite 610
New York, NY 10007
212-406-5145
Fax: (212) 619-0714

Attorney Advertising

Copyright 2011 McAdams Law

The File to Compile for Housing Court

The master key to winning at trial is preparation. One of the most important aspects of being prepared is to have all the documents you need to support your position, right at your fingertips when you’re in front of the judge. That way you can pull out whatever you require to make or prove a point. You should attend all proceedings with an organized file that includes:

• any and all documents received from court and the landlord
• your original lease, subsequent renewal leases, and any attached riders
• cancelled checks or receipts proving that you paid rent
• letters you’ve sent to the landlord, preferably with certified mail receipts
• photographs of any substandard conditions in your apartment or building
• receipts for any repair expenses you’ve incurred
• a chronological record of all conversations and correspondence with the landlord or building personnel, including names, contact information, dates and times, with as much detail about what was said as possible
• any documentation from government agencies that may be relevant

In addition to these, add anything else that supports your claims. It’s best to organize all records and correspondence in an accordion file, with an index and labeled sections. Then your papers are ready for trial.

Attention New York City Tenants: See these three new pages on protecting your rights that have just been added to the McAdams Law main site:

• Lease Renewals
• Non-Primary Residence Cases
• Personal Use Suits

Please Note: Every McAdams Law Tenant Protection Tip and article is for informational purposes only and cannot substitute for legal advice. Before taking action, consult an experienced New York Landlord Tenant attorney about your situation. Beware that being a party in a lawsuit in New York City’s Housing Court can subject you to blacklisting. Please see more details here.

Click here to see valuable Back Issues , conveniently organized by topic.

McAdams Law
305 Broadway, Suite 610
New York, NY 10007
212-406-5145
Fax: (212) 619-0714

Attorney Advertising

Copyright 2011 McAdams Law