NYC Civil Court Videos, Publications and Community Seminars

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Clerk's Office, New York County

Slideshows

Note: To view these slideshows, you will be taken to wix.com. You will be leaving the nycourts.gov website.

Housing

Videos

(These videos are also available for viewing in the Help Center.)

Housing

These videos were written, filmed and produced by court personnel or volunteers from the Landlord Tenant Bar.

Closed captioning is available for all videos. Please do the following to enable this feature:

Open Windows Media Player
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The Resolution Part

The Resolution Part Video | Transcript

This video is designed for self-represented litigants appearing in New York City Housing Court for the first time. It explains the parts' procedures and objectives, introduces the role of various court personnel and gives a complete walk-through of all services provided by the Court. The Resolution Part is the first place litigants appear and where attempts are made to settle cases before referral to a trial part. The self-represented litigant should have a better understanding of how the courts can assist them in resolving their cases after viewing this video.

(High-speed connections only; Run time: 4 min. 55 sec., Windows Media format; for a full-screen display, as the video is playing right-click on the screen and choose Full Screen; also available for viewing in the Help Center in English and Spanish.)

How Tenants Can Get Repairs & Services

How Tenants Can Get Repairs & Services Video | Transcript

This video follows the story of Rosa Santiago, a tenant in New York City, whose apartment is in need of several repairs. Despite her requests and letter writing to her landlord, the repairs have not been made. The remainder of the story follows Ms. Santiago through the New York City Housing Court as she begins a proceeding against her landlord. This video explains the step-by-step procedures from filing through a final resolution.

(High-speed connections only; Windows Media format; Run time: 16 min. 29 sec., for a full-screen display, as the video is playing right-click on the screen and choose Full Screen; also available for viewing in the Help Center in English and Spanish.)

Collecting Rent

Collecting Rent Video | Transcript

This video is about Tom Porter, a small property owner who owns a small brownstone with three rental apartments. One tenant, Joe Mason, has been behind in his rent for the past three months. Between the mortgage and bills for the building's upkeep, the three months' rent arrears has strained the family's budget. The video describes how Mr. Porter goes about initiating a summary proceeding against Joe Mason. As a self-represented litigant Mr. Porter learns what steps are needed to proceed, the papers required, how they must be filed and served before the case is brought to a final resolution.

(High-speed connections only; Run time: 22 min. 13 sec., Window Media format; for a full-screen display, as the video is playing right-click on the screen and choose Full Screen; also available for viewing in the Help Center in English and Spanish.)

Small Claims

Small Claims Form Instructions Video | Transcript

Publications

Civil

How To Try or Defend A Civil Case When You Don't Have A Lawyer

Housing

Small Claims

Guide to Small Claims Court

Civil Court Reports

Community Seminars

All seminars are also available for viewing in the Help Center in English and Spanish.

For seminars with closed captioning, please do the following to enable this feature:

Open Windows Media Player
Click the PLAY menu item
Click CAPTIONS AND SUBTITLES
Click "ON IF AVAILABLE"

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Seminar (20 min.) | Transcript (May 26, 2010)

Before you file for personal bankruptcy, get the facts! Get answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding Bankruptcy. Learn about the federal bankruptcy law, the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, how bankruptcy affects your credit, what debt bankruptcy will not erase, and much more!

Closed captioning is available.

Bedbugs

Bedbugs Seminar (42 min.) | Transcript (October 27, 2010)

Got Bedbugs? These tiny bloodsucking bugs have invaded countless New York City apartments, public buildings and some very popular retail stores throughout the city. According to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, there have been 12,768 bedbug complaints and 4,808 violations this year. This seminar will give you tips and strategies for detecting and getting rid of bedbugs. In addition, you will learn valuable information about the new Bedbug Disclosure Law! Guest speakers are Dr. Edgar Butts of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Rosalind Black from Legal Services NYC.

Closed captioning is available.

Credit Problems?

"Credit Problems?" Seminar (20 min.) | Transcript (February 21, 2007)

In this seminar Alexander Levine, Esq., of Levine & Chong, discusses consumer rights and responsibilities, what to do if you are being sued by a creditor or have a judgment against you.

Defenses to a Non-Payment Proceeding

"Defenses to a Non-Payment Proceeding" Seminar (27 min.) | Transcript (November 3, 2005)

In this community seminar, Sandra Russo, Esq., an attorney with Legal Services for New York City, discusses common defenses to nonpayment of rent. Some of the topics covered include: improper service of the court papers, improper naming of parties, payment of the rent, and conditions in the apartment.

Closed captioning is available.

Do You Need an Order of Protection?

"Do You Need an Order of Protection?" Seminar (18 min.) | Transcript (Februry 24, 2010)

This seminar will answer many of the frequently asked questions people have when seeking an Order of Protection. You will also get instructions on how to file for an Order of Protection. The guest speaker will be Jack Cairns, Assistant to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Family Court Matters.

Closed captioning is available.

Foreclosure

Foreclosure Seminar (20 min.) | Transcript (April 29, 2009)

Are you a tenant living in a foreclosed property? Come to our seminar and find out what your rights & responsibilities are as a tenant once the foreclosure process has started. Find out if you have to pay rent, and to whom? How much time you will be given to move out? And much more!

Closed captioning is available.

Help! My Landlord Says I'm a Nuisance!

"Help! My Landlord Says I'm a Nuisance!" Seminar (18 min.) | Transcript (October 28, 2009)

In this seminar, Joyce Zimberg, Esq., a Court Attorney, discusses the nuisance holdover proceeding. A landlord may bring a nuisance holdover if a tenant, a member of the tenant’s family, or a guest of the tenant engages in a continuous course of conduct which threatens the health, safety, or comfort of neighboring tenants or other building occupants. The seminar covers elements of and defenses to a nuisance holdover proceeding, and how to prepare for court.

Closed captioning is available.

Help! My Landlord Wants to Evict Me!

"Help! My Landlord Wants to Evict Me!" Seminar (32 min) | Transcript (February 25, 2009)

If your Landlord is kicking you out, come to one of our Community Seminars and get your questions answered. Find out how your Landlord can evict you even if you paid your rent and how to defend yourself in court against a holdover (eviction) proceeding. You will also learn about the different types of holdover (eviction) cases and much more! The guest speaker will be Joyce Zimberg, Esq., an experienced Court Attorney and educator.

Closed captioning is available.

How to Start a Small Claims Case

"How to Start a Small Claims Case" Seminar (36 min.) | Transcript (February 3, 2006)

In this Community Seminar, Court Attorneys Aaron Hauptman and Susan Avery, along with Court Clerk James Lopez, explain how to start a Small Claims case. The Small Claims Court provides a less expensive and simple way for people to resolve their legal problems involving cases of small amounts of money (less than $5,000.). The seminar covers how to be a "PRO" - Prepared, Realistic, and Organized.

Closed captioning is available.

Identity Theft

"Identity Theft" Seminar (17 min.) | Transcript (January 30, 2008)

In this community seminar, Edgar Perez, a Senior Financial Education Specialist from Citigroup teaches you how to protect yourself against identity theft, what to do if you become a victim and much more!

(High-speed connections only; Windows Media format; Run time: 16 min. 50 sec., for a full-screen display, as the video is playing right-click on the screen and choose Full Screen; also available for viewing in the Help Center in English and Spanish.)

Landlord 101

"Landlord 101" Seminar (20 min.) | Transcript (May 21, 2008)

Welcome to Landlord 101 for Small Property Owners! Find out what your rights and responsibilities are regarding leases, security deposits, violations & repairs, lead paint disclosures, evictions, landlord’s rights to access and much more.

My Tenant Owes Me Rent

"My Tenant Owes Me Rent" Seminar (17 min.) | Transcript (March 25, 2009)

In this seminar, Autry Johnson, Esq., a Court Attorney, discusses starting a non-payment proceeding when a tenant owes rent.

Closed captioning is available.

Need Help Paying Back Rent?

"Need Help Paying Back Rent?" Seminar (20 min.) | Transcript (March 26, 2008)

"Need Help Paying Back Rent?" The Emergency Rent Coalition (ERC) can help. The ERC is a network of community organizations that represents and advocates for vulnerable New York families and individuals who are at risk of eviction from their homes by providing education and information about emergency rent assistance. The guest speaker is Bruce Jordan, a Rental Assistance Director from the Human Resources Administration.

Need Repairs

"Need Repairs" Seminar (20 min.) | Transcript (October 29, 2008)

Need Repairs? Find out how to get repairs done in Housing Court, notify the landlord, prepare evidence for court and much more! The featured Speaker will be Staff Attorney, Sateesh Nori from the Housing Development Unit in the Harlem Community Law Office of the Legal Aid Society.

Paternity & Child Support

Paternity and Child Support Seminar – Part 1 (20 min.) | Transcript (March 24, 2010)
Custody & Visitation Seminar - Part 2 (21 min.) | Transcript (March 24, 2010)

This informative two part seminar will teach you how to start a paternity, child support or custody/visitation proceeding and much more! Jack Cairns, Assistant to the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Family Court Matters will be covering "Paternity & Child Support" and Mike Williams, a Court Clerk Specialist from Kings County Family Court will be discussing "Custody & Visitation".

Closed captioning is available.

Pet Evictions

Pet Evictions Seminar (32 min.) | Transcript (January 26, 2011)

If you have pets and you live in a New York City apartment this is the seminar for you! Ronald Languedoc, Esq., an expert on landlord-tenant law will explain how you can defend yourself in court against a Pet Eviction (Holdover).

Closed captioning is available.

Section 8 - Everything you Wanted to Know!

"Section 8 - Everything you Wanted to Know!" Seminar (20 min.) | Transcript (September 26, 2007)

In this community seminar, Sateesh Nori, a staff attorney in the Housing Development Unit of the Legal Aid Society, discusses the types of Section 8, eligibility & income guidelines, the re-certification process and more!

Tenants' Rights & Responsibilities

"Tenants' Rights & Responsibilities" Seminar (20 min.) | Transcript (April 25, 2007)

In this seminar Carol E. Mayse, a Senior Court Clerk discusses tenant's rights and responsibilities. Some of the topics covered include: how do I get the landlord to make repairs, does the landlord have to give me a lease, what about my security deposit?

What To Do If You've Been Evicted

"What To Do If You've Been Evicted" Seminar (22 min.) | Transcript (January 6, 2006)

In this seminar, Douglass Seidman, Esq., an experienced tenants' rights lawyer with the Legal-Aid Society, discusses what legal and procedural steps to take if you have been evicted from your home.

Closed captioning is available.