Resources

This document describes Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, contracts and abatement (refusal to pay).

This document describes eviction process, including warrants of eviction, 14-day notice, and tenants’ rights regarding their possessions in an eviction proceeding.

This document describes tenants’ rights in New York when their apartment conditions are bad or uninhabitable, including if a tenant can withhold rent.

This document explains what a warranty of habitability is and how tenants who experience conditions in their home that threaten their health and safety may use it as a defense in an eviction proceeding or how they can bring their own action to have a warranty of habitability hearing.

This document explains when a landlord can deduct from a security deposit and what a tenant can do if they disagree.

This document explains a tenant’s rights when they have frozen pipes, furnace issues or are in need of other cold weather-related repairs. It also provides a list of phone numbers for local agency resources.

This document explains what happens when someone is behind on rent and how eviction proceedings work in New York. It also provides a list of phone numbers for local agency resources.

This document describes when a tenant may want to contact the health department or a building inspector to have their apartment inspected and what is involved in such inspections. It also lists the local agency and department phone numbers for Western New York.

This document provides information for people facing evictions or loss of housing for other reasons and what emergency options exist in the Western New York area. Included is a list of shelters and information on the application process. regarding emergency housing issues and options someone facing eviction may have.

A fair hearing is a chance to challenge a decision made by the Department of Social Services (DSS). This  document describes the process, how to request a hearing and how to prepare for one.