New York City landlords face more than just rent collection and lease enforcement, they're often hit with tenant claims, building violations, and HPD enforcement actions that can lead to serious financial and legal consequences.
From habitability complaints and repair requests to allegations of harassment and code violations, tenants in NYC have many tools to fight back, and they know how to use them.
In many cases, landlords aren't even doing anything wrong. But thanks to a tenant-friendly system, landlords can quickly find themselves under fire.
Common Tenant Claims Against NYC Landlords
Tenants across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens are increasingly turning to the courts and city agencies to file complaints. Sometimes valid, sometimes strategic, and sometimes just plain false.
Here are just a few of the most common claims we help landlords defend against:
- Lack of Repairs or Services (heat, hot water, leaks, pests, etc.)
- Warranty of Habitability Violations
- Tenant Harassment Allegations (often used as delay tactics in eviction cases)
- Illegal Lockouts
- Overcharging or Improper Rent Increases
- Discrimination or Retaliation Claims
- Retaliatory HPD Complaints Filed After an Eviction Notice
These complaints often trigger inspections, violations, and court proceedings — even if the tenant never made a formal request for repairs.
What Is an HPD Case and Why Should Landlords Take It Seriously?
The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) enforces housing standards for residential buildings citywide. When a tenant calls 311 or files a complaint, HPD may send inspectors to your property (often without warning) and issue violations for anything from a missing smoke detector to mold or a cracked tile.
HPD violations can result in:
- Civil penalties and fines
- Litigation in Housing Court
- Emergency repair bills charged back to you
- Delayed evictions due to active cases or tenant counterclaims
Some tenants file these complaints strategically during a non-payment or holdover proceeding to strengthen their position or stall an eviction.
At The Law Offices of Stuart Jacobs, we've defended landlords in hundreds of HPD cases across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan. Whether you're dealing with a legitimate repair issue or a tenant filing baseless claims to avoid eviction, you need a landlord attorney who knows how to respond fast and fight back smart.
NYC landlords are often painted as villains. But the truth is, most just want to manage their buildings, provide safe housing, and get paid on time. Unfortunately, in a city where tenant protections are layered into every aspect of housing law, landlords must be just as strategic as tenants. If not more so.
At The Law Offices of Stuart Jacobs, we've been helping landlords for over 35 years. We know the system inside and out. And we know how to make it work for owners, not against them.