🛡️
How to file — Harassment cease-and-desist
Landlord (cease-and-desist) + NYC HPD Anti-Harassment Unit
Deadline
No fixed statute, but file the HP harassment proceeding within 1–3 years of the conduct
NYC Admin Code §§ 27-2004(a)(48), 27-2005(d), 27-2115(h),(m). HP harassment proceeding in Civil Court Housing Part.
How to submit
MAIL
Send to landlord/managing agent by certified mail
Cease-and-desist serves notice and creates the paper trail HPD and the court will rely on.
ONLINE
NYC HPD — Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force
https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/anti-harassment-program.page
PHONE
311 → "Tenant Harassment"
Phone: 311
IN-PERSON
NYC Housing Court — file an HP harassment proceeding
No filing fee for indigent tenants. Civil penalties of $2,000–$10,000 per dwelling unit + injunctive relief.
What to attach
- Photos / videos of the harassing conduct
- Texts, emails, and voicemails from landlord/agent
- Eviction notices, baseless court papers, or buyout offers (after refusal)
- List of any service interruptions (heat/hot water/elevator) with dates
- Witness statements (other tenants, neighbors, building staff)
Pro tips
- NYC tenant harassment law lists 11+ enumerated categories under § 27-2004(a)(48). Identify the categories that match your facts; cite them by name and number.
- Repeated buyout offers after refusal are themselves harassment — document each contact.
- Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, cutting off utilities) is a class A misdemeanor under NY RPL § 768. Call 911 if it happens.
- Met Council on Housing (212-979-0611) and the NYC Public Advocate run free tenant clinics for harassment cases.
311 path: 311 → "Tenant Harassment"
Citations the letter relies on
- NYC Admin Code § 27-2004(a)(48) — NYC Administrative Code § 27-2004(a)(48) (Definition of tenant harassment — 11 enumerated categories)
- NYC Admin Code § 27-2005(d) — NYC Administrative Code § 27-2005(d) (Owner prohibited from harassment)
- NYC Admin Code § 27-2115(m) — NYC Administrative Code § 27-2115(m) (Civil penalties for harassment — $2,000–$10,000 per dwelling unit)
- NYC Admin Code § 27-2115(h) — NYC Administrative Code § 27-2115(h) (HP harassment proceedings in Housing Court)
- NY RPL § 768 — NY Real Property Law § 768 (Unlawful eviction — illegal lockouts; criminal and civil penalties)
Tenant Defender is research and self-help. Not legal advice. For complex eviction or harassment cases, contact a NY tenant attorney or Met Council on Housing (311 → tenant rights).