Resources

Learn more about housing discrimination renters. This document includes: definition and types of housing discrimination, a summary of your rights and protections available, and information about what you should do if you’ve been discriminated against.

Per the Lead Disclosure Rule, landlords in New York State must tell tenants if the rental unit has any paint that has lead in it (called lead-based paint),
and about any lead-based paint hazards that the landlord knows about. This document explains what type of information must be disclosed, what types of housing are covered by this rule, and what are the consequences if a landlord does not disclose the required information.

What happens when tenant wants to move from an apartment with no formal lease? This document provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding your rights and responsibilities when you do not have a lease.

What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs to my apartment? This document outlines what you can and cannot do when repairs are needed in your rental, including specific requirements for withholding rent.

The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8 ) requires that your landlord keep your apartment in good condition, and that your apartment meets “housing quality standards.” This document describes Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, contracts, and abatement (refusal to pay) after an inspection.

Before your landlord can put you out of your home or apartment, your landlord must serve you with court papers, take you to court, and get a warrant of eviction. This document reviews frequently asked questions regarding the eviction process, including warrants of eviction, 14-day notice, and tenants’ rights regarding their possessions in an eviction proceeding.

In New York State, your landlord is required to keep your home a safe and decent place to live. This document describes tenants’ rights in New York when their apartment conditions are bad or uninhabitable, including if a tenant can withhold rent.

In New York State, every residential lease or rental agreement contains a guarantee that your landlord will rent out a safe place to live. This guarantee is called the Warranty of Habitability. A tenant may bring up the warranty of habitability in an eviction proceeding, or as a separate claim against the landlord.

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.

Within 14 days from the time a tenant moves from an apartment, the landlord must either return their security deposit in full or provide an itemized list of deductions along
with the remainder of the security deposit. This document explains when a landlord can deduct from a security deposit and what a tenant can do if they disagree.

Winter can be rough in WNY, and with cold weather comes potential damages due to frozen pipes, furnace issues, and more! This document explains a tenant’s rights when they have are in need of cold weather-related repairs, as well as provides a list of phone numbers for local agency resources.