NYC tenant law — repair notices, harassment cease-and-desists, security deposit demands, eviction defense — first letter free

Your landlord is counting on you not knowing your rights.

AI-drafted letters for NYC tenants — repair notices, harassment cease-and-desists, security deposit demands, rent stabilization checks, lease renewal demands, rent overcharge complaints to HCR, eviction defense Answers, and essential-services demands. Every letter cites the actual NYC tenant law and reads like a New Yorker who has dealt with this landlord before.

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JustFix is free but mostly form-fill. A NYC tenant attorney is $300–$1,000 per letter. We charge $29 once, or $79/mo for unlimited — because tenants in housing distress should not be price-gouged.

8
NYC tenant letter types — repair, harassment, deposit, stabilization, overcharge, eviction defense, renewal, essential services
$300–$1K
Cost of a NYC tenant attorney letter vs. $29 one-time with Tenant Defender
1 in 3
NYC leases contain at least one clause void under HSTPA 2019 — most tenants never find out

The letters landlords hope you never send

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Repair / habitability notice

Cites NY RPL §235-b warranty of habitability + NYC Housing Maintenance Code. Names the defect, the date reported, the repair required, and the consequence of non-compliance. Reads like it came from counsel.

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Harassment cease-and-desist

NYC Admin Code §27-2005 and the 2019 Tenant Protection Act. Documents the pattern, names the statute, demands cessation, and notifies of HPD complaint rights.

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Security deposit demand

Post-HSTPA: 14-day return deadline, itemized deductions required, 2× penalty for bad-faith withholding. Cites NY GOL §7-108. Most landlords comply rather than face double damages.

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Rent overcharge complaint (HCR)

For rent-stabilized units: 6-year look-back, preferential rent disclosure, HSTPA 2019 high-rent deregulation prohibition. Drafts the DHCR complaint with the correct HCR office address.

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Eviction defense Answer

Affirmative defenses under RPAPL — lack of notice, improper service, warranty of habitability breach, retaliatory eviction. Drafts the Housing Court Answer with the correct borough courthouse.

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Lease renewal demand

For rent-stabilized tenants: 9 NYCRR §2523.5 renewal offer timing, rights to renew, lease continuation rules. Cites the regulation, demands the offer, and notifies of DHCR complaint rights.

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✓ Verified

Sent the warranty of habitability letter on a Tuesday. Landlord had a plumber scheduled by Thursday. 4 months of ignoring me, ended in 48 hours.

J
Jennifer M.
Brooklyn, NY
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✓ Verified

Security deposit demand cited 2× penalty for bad-faith withholding. Got my $2,800 back in 10 days instead of going to small claims court.

M
Marcus T.
Queens, NY
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✓ Verified

The harassment cease-and-desist named every incident with the statute. Landlord stopped showing up unannounced and the buy-out pressure ended.

P
Priya S.
Manhattan, NY

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Frequently asked

Is this legal advice?

No. This 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). NYC tenants in eviction proceedings may qualify for a free attorney under NYC Local Law 136 of 2017 (Right to Counsel).

How NYC-specific is this?

Very. Cites the actual rule — NY RPL §235-b, NYC Admin Code §27-2005, NY GOL §7-108, 9 NYCRR §2523.5, HSTPA 2019. Not generic templates pretending to be New York. Right agency, right address: HPD at 100 Gold Street, HCR at 92-31 Union Hall in Jamaica, Housing Court — your borough's exact courthouse.

My landlord says the lease is "standard." Does that matter?

"Standard" means their standard. Most NYC leases are written to favor landlords. A letter that cites the actual statute — §235-b warranty of habitability, HSTPA 2019 deposit limits — carries legal weight a verbal complaint does not.

Is Tenant Defender worth $79?

NYC tenant attorneys charge $300–$1,000 per letter. At $79 for unlimited letters for a full year, one security deposit recovered or one repair demand acted on returns the fee 10–35×.

What if I don't get results?

If the letter doesn't cite the correct NYC statute with the right agency address and filing instructions, email us within 7 days for a full refund.