When to Hire a Landlord Tenant Attorney in NYC — Expert Help from Price Law Firm

When to Hire a Landlord Tenant Attorney in NYC — Expert Help from Price Law Firm

May 21, 2025

Navigating landlord-tenant relationships in New York City is rarely simple. Whether you're a tenant fighting eviction or a landlord dealing with nonpayment, the legal landscape is filled with potential pitfalls, complicated regulations, and strict timelines.

That’s where a landlord tenant attorney becomes critical.



In this guide, we’ll break down when it’s time to hire a landlord tenant attorney in NYC, what situations require professional legal help, and how a trusted firm like Price Law Firm can step in to protect your rights and resolve the issue efficiently.

Why Landlord-Tenant Law in NYC Is So Complex


New York City has some of the most tenant-friendly housing laws in the country, but that doesn’t mean tenants always win—or that landlords can act without consequence. The laws surrounding rent stabilization, lease terms, eviction processes, and housing conditions are layered and often change depending on current policies or court decisions.


Key complexities include:


  • Rent Stabilization and Rent Control: These programs protect millions of New Yorkers but come with highly specific rules for rent increases, eviction, and succession rights.
  • Housing Maintenance Code: This outlines what landlords are required to provide in terms of habitability (heat, hot water, pest control, etc.).
  • DHCR Oversight: The Division of Housing and Community Renewal regulates much of the landlord-tenant framework, including complaints and overcharge cases.
  • Housing Court Procedures: Filing incorrectly or missing a deadline—even by a day—can set your case back or cause you to lose.


Whether you're trying to understand your rights or resolve a dispute, working with a focused landlord tenant attorney in NYC ensures you stay compliant while maximizing your chances for a favorable outcome.


Top 5 Reasons Tenants Should Hire a Landlord Tenant Attorney


For many tenants, the need for legal help comes only when a problem escalates—but early legal intervention can often stop an issue from getting worse. Here are five of the most common reasons NYC tenants should consider hiring a landlord tenant attorney:


1. You’re Facing Eviction or Have Been Locked Out

Illegal evictions and “self-help” lockouts are more common than most people realize. If your landlord has removed your belongings, changed the locks, or tried to evict you without going through court, it’s time to call an attorney immediately.

Price Law Firm can intervene quickly to restore access and stop unlawful eviction attempts.


2. Your Apartment Is Uninhabitable

Landlords have a legal obligation to maintain a safe, livable home. Issues like mold, lack of heat, broken plumbing, or rodent infestations are not just unpleasant—they’re violations of the warranty of habitability. A qualified lawyer can compel repairs or pursue damages.


3. You Suspect a Rent Overcharge

In rent-stabilized apartments, landlords must follow strict rules when increasing rent. If your lease suddenly jumped, or if you’ve been paying a high rent for years without explanation, you may have a rent overcharge case. These can be retroactive for up to four years and may result in triple damages.


4. You’re Fighting for Succession Rights

If a family member or long-term partner passes away, you may be entitled to take over their rent-stabilized apartment. But landlords often challenge these claims, and the process to prove eligibility can be technical. Legal help is essential.


5. You’re Experiencing Landlord Harassment

Landlords sometimes attempt to force tenants out of rent-regulated units by creating unlivable conditions, refusing repairs, or flooding tenants with baseless legal notices. These are serious violations. A skilled landlord tenant attorney can fight back and restore your peace of mind.


In all these cases, Price Law Firm provides fast, strategic action with an eye toward lasting solutions—not just temporary fixes.


When Landlords Need Legal Representation


Landlords in NYC face their own set of challenges. Between tenant protections, DHCR regulations, and housing court technicalities, making a wrong move can result in costly penalties or drawn-out disputes.


If you're a landlord, here are key signs it's time to contact a landlord tenant attorney:


1. You Need to Evict a Tenant

Evictions must be handled with precision. Filing incorrectly or skipping required notices can delay proceedings by months. Whether it's a nonpayment or holdover case, an attorney ensures you're following the law and positions your case for success.


2. A Tenant Has Sued You

If you’re being sued for harassment, injury, or habitability issues, the right legal strategy is crucial. Trying to navigate court alone often results in larger payouts or loss of the case. Price Law Firm defends landlords in Housing Court and administrative hearings.


3. You Need Help Drafting or Enforcing a Lease

Well-drafted leases prevent future problems. Ambiguous language or missing clauses often lead to disputes later. An attorney ensures your lease is enforceable and compliant with NYC law.


4. You’re Dealing with a Rent-Regulated Unit

Whether you want to pursue apartment deregulation, challenge a tenant’s succession claim, or respond to a DHCR complaint, rent-regulated housing requires specific legal knowledge. One misstep can lead to overcharge penalties or loss of rent increases.


5. You’re Facing Co-op or Condo Conflicts

Board disputes, bylaw enforcement, and tenant-shareholder issues can all become legal matters quickly. Having legal counsel like Price Law Firm helps resolve these efficiently and avoids litigation whenever possible.


How Price Law Firm Approaches Each Case


Many firms take a one-size-fits-all approach to landlord-tenant disputes. Price Law Firm does the opposite.

Every case starts with a deep understanding of your situation, including any relevant paperwork, court filings, or prior communication. From there, the team tailors a legal strategy that fits your goals—whether that’s negotiation, settlement, or aggressive litigation.


What sets Price Law Firm apart:


  • 25+ years of landlord-tenant legal focus
  • Deep knowledge of rent stabilization and rent control laws
  • Experience with DHCR proceedings and NYC Housing Court
  • Strategic litigation with real, favorable outcomes


When you work with Price Law Firm, you’re not shuffled between junior attorneys or left in the dark. You’re represented by a firm that treats your legal issue with urgency, clarity, and care.


What to Expect in Your First Consultation


Whether you're a tenant or landlord, your first consultation is an opportunity to lay the foundation for your legal case. Here's what you can expect when meeting with the team at Price Law Firm:


What to Bring

  • Lease agreements
  • Notices or letters received or sent
  • Rent receipts or payment records
  • Photos or documentation of any issues
  • Copies of any court filings or DHCR complaints


What Will Be Discussed

  • A clear explanation of your legal position
  • Next steps if your case requires action
  • Timeline and potential outcomes
  • Cost estimates (some cases may be eligible for flat fees)


What Makes Price Law Firm Different

  • Immediate, honest feedback
  • No pressure to move forward if the case doesn’t make sense
  • A strategy that’s tailored—not templated


Scheduling a free consultation is the fastest way to understand your options and protect your rights before a situation escalates.


Real Examples of Legal Wins


Here are just a few examples of how Price Law Firm has helped NYC clients achieve lasting resolutions:


  • Illegal Lockout Case: A tenant was locked out without court order. Within days, Price Law Firm filed an emergency motion and got the client back in their apartment—with the landlord held liable for damages.
  • Landlord Harassment Case: A rent-stabilized tenant was being harassed with fake violations and unannounced entries. The firm obtained a court order barring landlord contact and secured a rent abatement.
  • Eviction Defense for Elderly Tenant: The landlord claimed illegal occupancy. Price Law Firm proved succession rights and stopped the eviction, allowing the client to remain in her longtime home.
  • Successful Holdover Eviction for Landlord: A tenant refused to leave after lease expiration. The team filed a precise holdover proceeding and regained possession for the landlord in under 60 days.


The firm's client reviews reflect their track record:


“Please save yourself a lot of unnecessary grief and seek the services of the Price Law Firm—you will not regret it!”
— Katrina I., Former Client
“They were very responsive, answered in one minute. I highly recommend reaching out to them.”
— Jordyn C., Former Client
“Heather helped me resolve a difficult situation in weeks that had dragged on for months.”
— Rita S., Former Client

You can read more success stories and testimonials directly on the firm’s website.


Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late


In landlord-tenant law, timing is everything. Whether you’re being wrongfully evicted or you’re trying to enforce your lease, delays can cost you time, money, and legal options.


If you're asking yourself whether it's time to speak to a lawyer, the answer is probably yes.


Working with a dedicated team like Price Law Firm means:

  • Having someone who understands your rights and responsibilities
  • Avoiding preventable legal mistakes
  • Getting real, actionable results


Get Help Now from NYC’s Trusted Landlord Tenant Attorneys


If you're a landlord or tenant facing a legal issue in NYC or the greater metro area, don't try to navigate it alone.


📞 Call Price Law Firm today at (212) 675-1125 or schedule a free consultation online. Get the legal clarity and protection you need—before things get worse.

Don’t leave your legal matters to chance. SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION OR CALL US AT (212) 675-1125 for a personalized consultation and let our experts guide you through every step of the process.

Joshua Clinton Price

Founder of The Price Law Firm LLC

Josh Price is a lawyer who is sought by clients with complicated cases because of his extensive knowledge of the law and his ability to help the law evolve.

(212) 675-1125

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