Free help for NYC tenants.

Every NYC tenant has a list of real organizations — hotlines, city agencies, legal services — that exist to help with housing problems. Almost all are free. Most don't require proof of income or immigration status just to call. This page is the full list.

General tenant help

Start here if you don't know where to start.

• Met Council on Housing — Tenants' Rights Hotline 212-979-0611 Hours: Mon & Wed 1:30–8 PM, Tue 5:30–8 PM, Fri 1:30–5 PM Free advice from trained volunteers on any NYC housing issue — repairs, rent regulation, harassment, eviction, Housing Court strategy, landlord tactics. Not lawyers, but deeply knowledgeable. Best first call for most tenants. Tip: Call after 4 PM if you can. Avoid Mondays. Volunteer-staffed, so the hotline occasionally closes on short notice — try again the next shift.
• NYC 311 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK from outside NYC) Hours: 24/7 · Online: portal.311.nyc.gov · App: NYC 311 (iOS / Android) TTY / hearing-impaired: dial 711 (NY Relay Service) or 212-639-9675. File complaints about heat, hot water, mold, pests, leaks, lead paint, and other housing conditions. Complaints trigger HPD inspections and create a public paper trail. Also routes you to other city services (ActionNYC, Healthy Neighborhoods Program, Homebase, and more). Tip: Save the complaint number the system gives you — it's how you (or your lawyer) track what happens next.
• HPDOnline hpdonline.nyc.gov/hpdonline Look up any NYC building's violation history, open complaints, registration status, and bedbug reports. Free, public, no account needed. This is where you check whether your landlord has been cited before, whether your complaint resulted in a violation, and what class (A, B, or C) each violation is. Tip: Print or screenshot relevant violations when you find them — the database updates, and snapshots are useful evidence in Housing Court.

Legal help

For tenants who need a lawyer or are going to Housing Court.

• Housing Court Answers 212-962-4795 · 718-557-1379 Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Email: info@hcanswers.org Main office: 50 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004 A nonprofit that helps NYC tenants navigate Housing Court — including how to file an HP Action (a legal proceeding to force your landlord to make repairs). Not lawyers, but they'll walk you through the forms and the process, and connect you with the right legal services provider for your borough and case type.
• Legal Services NYC 917-661-4500 Intake hours: Mon–Fri 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM — intake specialists are available in any language. Free legal representation for low-income tenants across all five boroughs. Can represent you in Housing Court, eviction proceedings, and rent disputes. Right to Counsel provider. Who qualifies: Income-based eligibility. Call the main intake line to check — intake is usually same-day or next-day if a court date is imminent.
  Borough offices (for existing clients or direct contact)

  • Bronx 718-928-3700
  • Brooklyn 718-237-5500
  • Manhattan 646-442-3100
  • Queens 347-592-2200
  • Staten Island 718-233-6480
  Specialized assistance

  • Front desk (non-legal) 646-442-3600
  • Unemployment Insurance Project 646-442-3332
  • Student Debt Legal Hotline 718-237-5564
  • Bankruptcy Assistance 646-442-3600
• Legal Aid Society — Tenant Rights 212-577-3300 Free legal representation for tenants in eviction cases and related matters, including a dedicated NYCHA unit. Right to Counsel provider; covers all boroughs. The main line is best for general questions about eligibility — if you already know what type of case you have, call the specialized line below. Tip: You can also call 311 and ask for the “Tenant Helpline” — it routes to city-funded tenant legal help including Legal Aid.
  Specialized housing helplines

  • Housing Justice Unit
    Group advocacy, tenant associations
    Mon–Fri 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 212-577-7988
  • Homeless Rights Project
    Emergency housing, shelter, relocation
    Mon–Fri 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 800-649-9125
  • Public Housing Unit
    NYCHA tenants 212-298-3450
  • Foreclosure Prevention (Queens) 718-298-8979
  • Foreclosure Prevention (Bronx) 646-340-1908
  Neighborhood offices (for existing clients / tenant defense)

  • Manhattan 212-426-3000
  • Bronx 718-991-4600
  • Brooklyn 718-722-3100
  • Queens 718-286-2450
  • Staten Island 347-422-5333
• NYC Right to Counsel (Universal Access to Legal Services Law) What it is: NYC law guarantees free legal representation to eligible tenants in covered eviction proceedings. Services are free, available citywide in every ZIP code, and available regardless of immigration status. You don't need to find a lawyer yourself — the court will connect you with one if you qualify.
  Who qualifies for full legal representation:

  • Seniors (age 60+): all NYC residents 60 and older, regardless of income. (Codified via Local Law 20, August 2023.)
  • Income-eligible households: at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For 2025–2026, that's roughly $53,300 for a family of three or $62,000 for a family of four.
  • Immigration status is not a factor — all qualified tenants are covered regardless of status.
  Covered case types:

  • Eviction cases in NYC Housing Court — non-payment or holdover.
  • NYCHA administrative proceedings regarding termination of tenancy.
  • Illegal lockouts by a landlord.

  HP Actions are not part of core Right to Counsel. If you're the tenant suing your landlord for repairs, you generally don't get an automatic free lawyer. However, NYC's Office of Civil Justice (OCJ) partners with nonprofits under the Anti-Harassment and Tenant Protection (AHTP) program to provide free legal help for certain high-priority HP cases: illegal lockouts, critical or emergency repairs (life-threatening conditions, loss of heat or hot water), and documented landlord harassment.

  If you earn too much and are under 60: you're still entitled to brief legal assistance — typically a one-time consultation or advice session with a provider. You may not get ongoing representation, but you can still get your question answered.
  How to access for eviction cases

  • Call 311 and ask for “Right to Counsel” or the “Tenant Helpline.”
  • Call Housing Court Answers at 212-962-4795 or 718-557-1379, Mon–Fri 9 AM – 5 PM — or email OCJ at civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov.
  • At court, ask the Housing Court judge to assign counsel on your first court date — or visit the courthouse Help Center and Right to Counsel intake table before your appearance.
  • Online: check the eligibility chart at NYS Courts' Free Lawyers for Tenants page, or visit NYC HRA's Legal Services for Tenants.
  How to seek help for HP Actions (suing for repairs)

  • Call 311 and ask for “Tenant Legal Assistance.” HRA Legal Services may screen you for the AHTP program — especially if your case involves emergency repairs, an illegal lockout, or harassment.
  • Contact a legal services provider directly — Legal Aid Society (212-577-3300) or Legal Services NYC (917-661-4500). They may take on HP cases depending on current capacity and how severe the conditions are.
  • You can file an HP Action yourself at the Housing Court Clerk's office without a lawyer. HPD's Tenants' Rights Legal Assistance page has instructions for self-filing.
• NYS Homes & Community Renewal (DHCR) — Office of Rent Administration 833-499-0343 (“Rent InfoLine”) Automated: 24/7 in English and Spanish · Live agents: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Borough offices: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (by appointment, closed on city holidays) The state agency that enforces rent stabilization and rent control laws. Serves both tenants and building owners. Can order rent reductions when essential services aren't provided, handle overcharge complaints, and issue orders on succession rights and major capital improvement increases. Who this is for: Rent-stabilized and rent-controlled tenants (and any tenant who isn't sure). If you're not sure whether you're regulated, request your apartment's certified rent history through DHCR (Form REC-1) or use JustFix's free rent history tool in Section 5.
  Key services

  • Rent histories — request a certified copy of your apartment's rent history to check for overcharges (Form REC-1).
  • Overcharge complaints — file a formal complaint if you believe your rent exceeds the legal regulated amount (Form RA-89).
  • Lease & services — help with lease renewals, reduction in essential building services, and harassment complaints.
  Borough rent offices (appointments)

  • Bronx 718-430-0880 1 Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor
  • Brooklyn 718-722-4778 55 Hanson Place, 6th Floor
  • Lower Manhattan 212-480-6238 25 Beaver Street, 2nd Floor
  • Upper Manhattan 212-961-8930 163 West 125th Street, 5th Floor
  • Queens 718-482-4041 92-31 Union Hall Street, 6th Floor
  • Westchester 914-948-4434 75 South Broadway, 3rd Floor, White Plains
  Common DHCR forms

  • RA-81 Application for rent reduction based on decreased service(s) — individual apartment.
  • RA-84 Application for rent reduction based on decreased service(s) — building-wide.
  • HHW-1 Failure to provide heat and/or hot water — tenant application for rent reduction.
  • RA-90 Tenant's complaint of owner's failure to renew lease and/or furnish a signed copy.
  • RA-89 Rent overcharge application — if your legal rent is lower than what you're being charged. (Use RA-89C as a continuation for additional apartments or periods.)
  • RA-60H Tenant's statement of complaint — harassment (illegal owner conduct intended to force you out).
  • RA-22.1 Tenant affirmation of non-compliance — if the owner fails to follow a previous DHCR order to restore services.
  • REC-1 Request for records access — certified rent history.
  Filing tip: For RA-81 and RA-84, DHCR generally requires proof that you first notified the owner in writing about the issue and gave them a chance to fix it. For HHW-1 (heat and hot water), include a city inspector's report — call 311 first to trigger an inspection. Many forms can be submitted online through the DHCR Rent Connect portal, which DHCR recommends over paper filing where available.

For undocumented tenants

In New York City, you have the same legal rights as any other tenant regardless of your immigration status. It is illegal for a landlord to use your documentation status as a tool for harassment, discrimination, or eviction. The organizations below provide free, confidential help and do not share your information with federal immigration authorities.

• ActionNYC / Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Hotline 1-800-354-0365 (or call 311 and ask for ActionNYC) Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Free, safe immigration legal help connected to city services. Can help you understand your rights before filing a housing complaint — and before signing anything your landlord puts in front of you. Appointments book through the MOIA hotline or 311.
• Make the Road New York 718-418-7690 Tenant and immigrant rights support: community organizing, legal services (employment, immigration, housing, benefits), and advocacy. Call your local neighborhood center for direct access to legal services.
  Neighborhood centers

  • Brooklyn (Bushwick) 718-418-7690 301 Grove Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237
  • Queens (Corona) 718-565-8500 104-19 Roosevelt Avenue, Corona, NY 11368
  • Staten Island (Port Richmond) 718-727-1222 161 Port Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302
  • Westchester (White Plains) 914-948-8466 46 Waller Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605
  • Long Island (Brentwood) 631-231-2220 1090 Suffolk Avenue, Brentwood, NY 11717
  Health Services Helpline: 1-866-365-2724 (extension 1) for help with health insurance coverage or renewals.
• New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) 212-627-2227 Email: info@nyic.org Address: 131 W 33rd Street, Suite 610, New York, NY 10001 NYIC is an advocacy organization — it does not provide direct legal services itself. If you need immediate legal help or referrals to a trusted attorney, NYIC recommends the two hotlines below.
  Hotlines NYIC recommends

  • New Americans Hotline
    Toll-free, 200+ languages · managed by Catholic Charities
    Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM 1-800-566-7636
  • ActionNYC / MOIA Hotline
    Free, safe immigration legal help and appointments via NYC.gov
    Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM 1-800-354-0365
• NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) 212-416-0197 (intake appointments) Live assistance: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (excluding holidays) · Online reporting: 24/7 via the Report Discrimination form on the official CCHR website Enforces NYC Human Rights Law. If your landlord threatens to report you to ICE, refuses to make repairs because of your national origin, or discriminates against you based on immigration status, this is the agency that investigates. Also handles source-of-income discrimination (Section 8, HASA, CityFHEPS). Tip: You can also call 311 and say “Human Rights” to reach the Commission.
  Borough community service centers

  • Manhattan (main office) 212-306-7450 22 Reade Street
  • Brooklyn 718-722-3130 25 Chapel Street, Suite 1001
  • Bronx 718-579-6900 1932 Arthur Avenue, Room 203A
  • Queens 718-657-2465 153-01 Jamaica Avenue, 2nd Floor
  • Staten Island 718-390-8506 60 Bay Street, 7th Floor
  Specialized lines

  • Law Enforcement Bureau
    Accessibility accommodations for existing hearings 212-306-7450
  • Director of Mediation
    CCHR's free mediation program 212-416-0228

Health-related resources

For tenants whose health is affected by housing conditions.

• NYC Health Dept — Healthy Neighborhoods Program How to access: Ask your doctor for a referral, or call 311 and ask for the Healthy Neighborhoods Program. Free in-home environmental inspection for households where someone has asthma and there are environmental triggers — mold, pests, dust, smoke. Produces an official health assessment that can support an HPD complaint or Housing Court case. Who this is for: Households with asthma sufferers, especially children under 6.
• NYC Poison Control Center 212-POISONS (212-764-7667) Online chat: click the “Chat With Us” button on the NYC DOH Poison Control page. Guidance on lead exposure risks and next steps if you suspect lead paint exposure, especially for children under 6. Also a first call if anyone in your household has ingested peeling paint chips or is showing symptoms of exposure.

Other useful tools

Non-phone resources that tenants should know about.

• JustFix justfix.org For tenants ready to take a specific action. JustFix is the next step after you've decided what to do. Its tools draft and send a certified complaint letter to your landlord via USPS, look up your rent history to see whether you're rent-stabilized or being overcharged, and walk you through filing an HP Action in Housing Court — the court order that forces a landlord to make repairs. The tools build the paperwork; you take it from there. Free, run by a nonprofit, and not a substitute for a lawyer.
• Tenant Triage NYC Building Lookup Enter your address and see your building's HPD violation history from public city data — open violations, status, and class. Uses NYC Open Data and NYC Planning Labs GeoSearch. No account or signup needed. Open the building lookup →