If you're staring at a 14-day rent demand, a 30/60/90-day notice, or a landlord keeping your deposit, don't panic and don't move out yet. In New York, eviction is a court process under RPAPL Article 7 — a scary notice is not a court order, and a marshal or sheriff cannot put you out without a judge's warrant. The same goes for a withheld deposit, a no-heat apartment, or a small-claims dispute: you have specific deadlines and specific defenses. Call 1-844-690-0555 now — free, 24/7 — and our AI assistant trained on New York and federal law will walk you through exactly what that paper means and what to do next. It's legal information, not legal advice.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across New York.
Read the notice and find the deadline — then do NOT ignore it and do NOT abandon the apartment. If it's a 14-day rent demand, you have not been sued yet; if a nonpayment petition has been served on you, you generally have 10 days to answer in NYC Housing Court — and you can answer in writing or in person at the clerk's counter. Showing up is what protects you. If your security deposit is being withheld, the landlord had only 14 days after you moved out to return it with an itemized statement — and if they missed that deadline, they forfeit the right to keep any of it. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll pinpoint your deadline and your next move before you lose a right by default.
Here's the New York rule that blindsides people: in a nonpayment case, RPAPL §749 lets you stop the eviction by tendering the full rent owed at any time before the marshal or sheriff physically executes the warrant — even after a judgment, even after the 14-day eviction notice — unless the court finds you withheld the rent in bad faith. Most states cut this 'pay-and-stay' right off far earlier. And in NYC, income-eligible tenants in Housing Court are entitled to a free lawyer under the Right to Counsel — regardless of immigration status — and the city's Office of Civil Justice reported that about 89% of tenants who got full representation in FY2024 stayed stably housed. So the worst thing you can do is panic and move out because a notice scared you. Call 1-844-690-0555 first, free and 24/7, and we'll explain exactly how the deadline works before you give up a right you didn't know you had.
Many New York civil and housing problems can be handled for free, and some NYC tenants have a legal right to a free lawyer. These are real, verified organizations — start here, and call us first if you're not sure where you fit.
I got a 14-day notice to pay rent — am I being evicted right now?
No. A 14-day rent demand under RPAPL §711 is the warning shot, not the eviction — your landlord can't even file a nonpayment case until those 14 days pass, and a judge has to rule before anyone is removed. You have time to act, but ignoring it is how people lose by default. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll explain exactly where you are in the process.
How many days do I have to answer an eviction case in New York?
In an NYC nonpayment proceeding you generally have 10 days to answer once you've been served (RPAPL §732), and you can answer either in writing or in person at the clerk's counter. Missing the answer or not showing up can mean a default judgment and eviction. The exact clock can vary by court and case type — call 1-844-690-0555 and we'll help you pin it down.
Can I really stop an eviction by paying the rent I owe?
In a nonpayment case, usually yes — RPAPL §749 lets you tender the full amount owed and have the warrant vacated at any time before the marshal or sheriff physically executes it, even after judgment, unless the court finds you withheld in bad faith. This New York 'pay-and-stay' right is stronger than in most states. Don't assume it's too late. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll explain how it works for your situation.
My landlord won't return my security deposit. What can I do?
In New York, deposits are capped at one month's rent, and under GOL §7-108 the landlord must return the balance with an itemized statement within 14 days of your moving out. Miss that deadline and they forfeit the right to keep any of it — and in a dispute the landlord, not you, has to prove every deduction was reasonable. Call 1-844-690-0555 and we'll walk you through getting it back, possibly via small claims.
There's no heat or hot water in my apartment — do I still owe full rent?
New York's Warranty of Habitability (RPL §235-b) is non-waivable, and a serious breach like no heat can entitle you to a rent abatement — courts have ordered anywhere from a percentage to 100% for severe, prolonged conditions. But document everything and don't just stop paying blindly. In NYC you can also file a complaint with HPD via 311. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to understand your options first.
How much can I sue for in small claims court in New York?
It depends where you are: the cap is $10,000 in NYC Civil Court, $5,000 in city courts, and only $3,000 in Town and Village courts. You don't need a lawyer — small claims is built for self-represented people — but the other side may bring one. Call 1-844-690-0555 and we'll help you figure out whether your dispute fits and which court to use.
Do I need a lawyer to file a small claims case in New York?
No — small claims parts are designed for ordinary people to handle their own cases with relaxed rules, and many New Yorkers win without one. That said, knowing how to present evidence and what you can actually recover makes a real difference. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and our AI assistant trained on New York law will walk you through preparing your case. It's information, not advice.
I tripped on a NYC sidewalk and got hurt — how long do I have to sue?
Be careful: even though New York's personal-injury deadline is normally 3 years (CPLR §214(5)), suing the City, a county, or a public authority like the MTA requires a sworn Notice of Claim within just 90 days under GML §50-e, with a hard outer limit of one year and 90 days to sue. This trap destroys otherwise-valid claims. Call 1-844-690-0555 immediately so you don't run out of time.
My landlord changed the locks while I was out. Is that legal?
No. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing your belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court warrant — is unlawful in New York. In NYC, locking out a tenant who's lived there 30+ days violates the Unlawful Eviction Law (Admin. Code §26-521), and you can sue for treble (triple) damages under RPAPL §853. You may be entitled to get back in and to money damages. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll explain how to respond fast.
My landlord wants to raise my rent a lot or not renew — can they?
Not without notice, and maybe not at all. RPL §226-c requires 30, 60, or 90 days' advance written notice for a non-renewal or a 5%+ increase, depending on how long you've lived there, and the 2024 Good Cause law caps annual increases at the lesser of CPI+5% or 10% where it applies — automatic in NYC, opt-in in other municipalities. Call 1-844-690-0555 and we'll tell you what protections cover your apartment.
Is Legal Hotline a law firm or a public defender?
No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender's office, and calling us does not create an attorney-client relationship. We give you free legal information about your New York situation 24/7, point you to free legal-aid and Right-to-Counsel resources, and — if you want a lawyer — can help arrange a paid consultation with a New York-licensed attorney. Call 1-844-690-0555 to get started.
Are you a New York-licensed attorney handling landlord-tenant, personal injury, consumer, or general civil matters? We connect New Yorkers who've already spoken with our AI assistant — and who are ready to pay for a consultation — with vetted local counsel across the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and upstate. No cold leads, no spam: just clients who understand their situation and want a New York lawyer. Reach out to learn how to receive referrals in your area.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Eviction notices, the 14-day deposit deadline, and that 90-day Notice of Claim don't wait for business hours — and in New York, the difference between keeping your home and losing it can come down to answering on time and knowing your rights. Before you move out, sign anything, or assume it's too late, get the facts. Call 1-844-690-0555 now — free, 24/7, no income test, no web form. Our AI assistant trained on New York and federal law will explain exactly where you stand and what to do next, and can help arrange a paid consultation with a New York attorney if you want one. Legal information, not legal advice — and no attorney-client relationship is created by the call.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.