If you are under the threat of eviction there are THREE things to know right away:
- Lockouts are illegal. Regardless of immigration status or residence type. If you are experiencing a lockout call 911 and 311 and ask for the “Tenant Hotline”.
- Every New Yorker Has the right to legal counsel, for free. Regardless of immigration status or zip code. Call 311 and ask for “right to counsel”. New York rideshare drivers who are at risk of being evicted can receive free legal counseling and support by contacting IDG Legal and requesting help from our Housing Issues service.
- Although federal funding no longer exists for most of the counties in New York, renters who have not applied for Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) relief can still do so.
Frequently Asked Questions About Evictions
Is it an eviction if my landlord tells me to move out?
No. Your landlord has to follow a legal process to evict you, including providing you with written notice of eviction and going through the court system to resolve the issue.
What’s the first step in the eviction process?
Your landlord must send you a Rent Demand Letter which states the amount of rent you owe and that you could be evicted in 14 days if you don’t pay. After 14 days, if a payment is not made, your landlord would then serve you with a notice letting you know that a court case has been filed against you.
Can a landlord cut electricity, heat, or hot water to make me move out?
It is illegal for a landlord to force a tenant to move by locking them out of the apartment or depriving the tenant of heat, hot water, or electricity. If you are experiencing an illegal eviction call 911 and 311 and ask for the “Tenant Hotline”.
ERAP Community Enrollment Assistance
Below is a list of community-based organizations that can assist with ERAP applications. They can assist you in applying, completing a previously submitted ERAP application, or in appealing a decision from ERAP.
The Bronx:
BronxWorks 844-380-9169
Neighborhood Association for Intercultural Affairs, Inc. (NAICA) 718-866-0038
Brooklyn:
Black Veterans for Social Justice, Inc. 718-841-7771 or 1-800-323-6736
Good Shepherd Services (GSS) 929-552-2248
Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty 929-292-9480
RiseBoro Community Partnership 718-547-2800
Manhattan:
Catholic Charities Community Services 888-744-7900
University Settlement 332-233-7440
Queens:
Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc 646-248-6602
RiseBoro Community Partnership 718-547-2800
Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services (CCNS) 347-464-0485
Staten Island:
Project Hospitality 929-724-5360
The New York City Tenant Resource Portal
An eviction prevention tool created by the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT) and the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit’s (PEU) Tenant Support Unit (TSU) to guide renters accessing public and private resources that can stabilize their housing situation. Get help here.
One Shot Deal
Get public assistance from the city’s Human Resources Administration through the One Shot Deal which can be used as a one-time measure for dealing with a sudden or unexpected crisis, including an eviction.
The Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS)
The FHEPS program provides rental assistance for permanent housing for families with children that receive Cash Assistance and live in shelters, are being evicted, or have been evicted.
For New York Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
Homeowners throughout New York State who are facing foreclosure can get free assistance from community-based housing counselors or legal service providers. Visit HomeownerHelpNY.org or call 1-855-HOME-456.
If you need assistance from a lawyer regarding a housing-related issue, fill out a form here to get started.