Online Resources for Tenants

The online resources differ from state to state. Currently we only have New York State. Information for the other states is coming soon.

Resources for New York State:

Topics

1. General Tenants Rights Guide
2. Terminating a Lease, Breaking a Lease, Ending a Lease Early
3. Subletting or Subleasing an Apartment
4. Repairs, Negligent Landlord
5. Heat and Hot Water Complaints
6. Security Deposits
7. Infestation & Bed Bugs
8. Roommate Issues
9. Evictions
10. Find a Lawyer

• 1. Tenant's Rights – A general guide that summarizes tenant’s rights in New York State, written by the New York State Attorney General. A good place to start. Includes topics such as Subletting Leases, Assigning Leases, Apartment Sharing, Rent Overcharges, Rent Security Deposits, Renewal Leases, Habitability and Repairs, Landlord’s Duty to Repair.

  New York State Tenants Right Guide (PDF)

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• 2. Terminating a Lease, Breaking a Lease, Ending a Lease Early - A summary of the laws, rules, and regulations with regards to ending a lease early.

  Lease breaks, early lease termination, getting out of a lease early
  It is hard to find a good online resource with information about early termination, we have searched. Contact us, We will tell you everything you need to know.

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• 3. Subletting - Proper procedure when attempting to sublet or sublease an apartment.

  Sublet or sublease an apartment

  Frequently asked questions regarding subletting and subleasing. Answers many of the most common questions about this subject.
  Sublet / Sublease Questions

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• 4. Repairs & Negligent Landlord - If you have a negligent landlord, this is the site for you. For example: The landlord refuses to repair items when it is their obligation, the landlord refuses to replace broken appliances, or a landlord does not abide by the terms of the lease.

  What should a tenant do when the landlord does not make repairs? What is the proper procedure when filing a complaint:
  Landlord Won’t Make Repairs

  Once the tenant has attempted all possible routes to have the landlord complete repairs in the apartment, this site tells the tenant where to report landlord negligence, and how to report landlord negligence:
  How to Report Landlord Negligence

  If all of the above remedies do not work, and the landlord will still not comply with regulations, the tenant often has to take the landlord to Housing Court. The link below explains how to file a complaint in Housing Court, and all the procedures.
  Housing Court Procedures
  How to Navigate Housing Court - Housing Court Guide (PDF)

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• 5. Heat and Hot Water - The landlord is obligated to provide hot water to the tenants. Once the temperature falls below a certain degree, landlords are required to maintain the temperature at a curtain level. This next document specifies the landlord obligations to tenants, and what can be done if the landlord is neglecting their duties.

  Heat and Hot Water Complaints

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• 6. Security Deposits – The next few links explain why landlords collect security deposits, where they have to store the deposit, under what conditions can they keep a portion or all of the deposit, and what tenants can do to recover their deposits from the landlord.

  Common Security Deposit Questions
  Recovering Security Deposit Procedures (PDF)
  Security Deposit Information

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• 7. Infestation & Bed Bugs - Bed bugs have become a problem in NYC. If bedbugs are found in your rental unit, this site explains your rights as tenants and exactly what you can do.

  Bed Bug Fact Sheet

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• 8. Roommate Issues – Often, when living with a roommate, lease issues and/or sublet issues arise. This site addresses the most commonly asked questions, and explains what to do when roommate situations arise.

  Apartment Sharing – Roommate Issues

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• 9. Evictions - These resources cover evictions from almost every angle; what actions tenants can take to stop an eviction, how to answer a Notice of Petition, what to do if a tenant has been illegally evicted. Almost anything you need to know will be contained in the next few links.

  How to stop your eviction
  Answering A Notice of Petition
  Illegal Evictions
  Extensive Eviction Information

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• 10. Find a Lawyer - Often problems that arise between landlords and tenants cannot be resolved without legal intervention. At these times it is important to find a good Real Estate attorney. These links should prove to be helpful.

  Find a Tenant Lawyer
  Residential Leasing Law Firms

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