Housing Court Fees
Landlord-tenant cases in New York City move on a Housing Court calendar, and most resolve at a settlement conference rather than a trial. Our flat fees cover the petition or answer and a stated number of appearances, confirmed in a written retainer agreement before any work begins. The prices below are our standard rates as of 2026.
Consultations: the first 30 minutes are free. Additional consultation time is billed at $350 per hour in 6-minute increments, and we tell you before any chargeable time is spent. The same rate applies to out-of-court work in a housing matter.
Consultations
| Service | Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Housing consultation — first 30 minutes | Free | Review of the notices and papers, defenses, and next steps |
| Consultation time beyond 30 minutes | $350 per hour | Billed in 6-minute increments, only with your consent |
Housing Court proceedings
| Proceeding | Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment proceeding (landlord) | $2,500 | Rent demand, petition, filing, 2 appearances, stipulation |
| Holdover proceeding (landlord) | $3,000 – $4,000 | Predicate notices, petition, filing, 2 appearances, stipulation. The higher end applies to rent-regulated units or cases needing multiple predicate notices. |
| Tenant defense of a nonpayment or holdover | $2,000 | Answer with defenses, 2 appearances, negotiation |
| Illegal lockout | $2,000 | Order to show cause and first appearance |
| Order to show cause to stop an eviction | $1,000 | Drafting, filing, and the first court appearance |
Each flat fee covers the number of appearances listed. If the court schedules more, each additional appearance is $500 virtual or $750 in person, and we tell you before you sign when we expect that.
Court filing fees, process servers, transcripts, and similar costs are billed at cost. Marshal and Sheriff fees are paid directly to those offices.
How payment works
- Flat fees can be paid in two or three installments over 60 days.
- We accept credit and debit cards, ACH bank transfer, Zelle, checks, and cash.
- Flat fees are earned in stages. If a case ends early, the unearned portion is refunded. No fee is ever non-refundable.
Frequently asked questions about housing court fees
How much does a landlord-tenant lawyer cost in NYC Housing Court?
A nonpayment proceeding for a landlord is a flat $2,500 and a holdover is $3,000 to $4,000, each including two appearances and a stipulation. Defending a nonpayment or holdover is $2,000, and an order to show cause to stop an eviction is $1,000.
Can I get a free consultation?
Yes. The first 30 minutes are free. Beyond that, consultation and out-of-court time is billed at $350 per hour in 6-minute increments, and you are told before the extra time is spent.
What if my case takes more than the included appearances?
Each additional appearance is $500 virtual or $750 in person. The flat fee is the price of the work it lists, not a cap on the case.
Call 888.886.3525, read the NYC Housing Court guide, or book a consultation.
Attorney Advertising. Fees shown are the firm's standard rates as of 2026 and may be adjusted for a particular matter; the written retainer agreement controls. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.