Legal Reference
NYC Housing Court
Glossary
55 legal terms, in plain English. Tap any term to read the full definition, a plain-language translation, and a practical tip for using it in court.
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Hardship DeclarationCOVID-era protection against eviction→Help CenterFree lawyers, right there in the courthouse — no appointment needed→High-Rent DeregulationYour apartment may have been illegally removed from rent stabilization→Holdover ProceedingYour landlord wants you out, not just paid→HP ActionYou sue your landlord to fix your apartment→HPDThe city agency that inspects and enforces housing code→
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Non-Primary ResidenceYour landlord is claiming you don't really live there→Nonpayment ProceedingYour landlord is taking you to court for unpaid rent→Notice of TerminationYour landlord is officially ending your tenancy→Notice to CureA warning to fix a lease violation — before eviction starts→NYCHANYC public housing — has its own rules→
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PetitionThe eviction lawsuit against you→Predicate NoticeThe required warning before your landlord can take you to court→Predicate Notice PeriodThe required waiting period before the landlord files in court→Preferential RentYour landlord charges you less than the legal max — and that's now locked in→Preferential Rent FreezeYour below-market rent stays as your base forever→
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Rent AbatementA court-ordered reduction in what you owe→Rent DemandThe landlord's written notice claiming you owe rent→Rent StabilizationLegal limits on your rent increases and eviction rights→Res JudicataThis was already decided — it can't be raised again→Right to CounselYou may be entitled to a free lawyer — for real→RPAPLThe New York law that governs how evictions work→
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