US-New YorkWhat remedies do I have for a landlord's harassment in New York?
In New York, you can sue for damages, obtain a court order to stop harassment, and potentially recover triple damages and attorney’s fees under the Real Property Law. You may also terminate your lease early without penalty.
What the Law Says
New York law explicitly prohibits landlord harassment and provides strong remedies for tenants who experience it.
Under New York Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL) § 853, it is illegal for a landlord to engage in conduct intended to cause a tenant to vacate their dwelling or surrender rights under a lease. This includes interrupting or discontinuing essential services (like heat, water, or electricity), removing doors or windows, changing locks, threatening or intimidating tenants, or refusing to make necessary repairs.
The law allows tenants to sue for injunctive relief (a court order stopping the harassment), actual damages, statutory damages of up to $1,000 per violation, and — if the court finds the harassment was willful — triple damages and reasonable attorney’s fees.
Tenants may also terminate their lease early by giving written notice at least 30 days before the intended vacate date — no penalty applies if the termination is due to proven harassment.
Statutory TextA landlord who engages in harassment as defined in this section shall be liable to the tenant for actual damages, statutory damages of one thousand dollars, and, where the court finds that the harassment was willful, treble damages and reasonable attorney's fees.
— RPAPL § 853 — Harassment of tenant
Statutory TextA tenant may terminate a tenancy by giving not less than thirty days' written notice to the landlord if the tenant reasonably believes that the landlord has engaged in harassment...
— RPAPL § 853(3) — Termination of tenancy
What to Do
Document every incident (dates, times, witnesses, photos, texts, emails, service interruptions)
Send a dated, certified letter to your landlord demanding cessation of harassment and restoration of services
File a complaint with NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) or the NYS Attorney General’s Office
File a lawsuit in Civil Court or Supreme Court seeking injunctive relief, damages, and attorney’s fees under RPAPL § 853
If moving out, provide written 30-day notice citing RPAPL § 853 — keep a copy and proof of delivery
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.