Can landlords reject you for a past Housing Court case?

No. In New York a landlord may not refuse to rent to you because you were in a past or pending case with a landlord, whether you were sued for rent, fought an eviction or sued to get repairs done. If a landlord pulls court records or a screening report that shows those cases and then turns you down, the law presumes the landlord broke it.

The rule is Real Property Law § 227-f, added by the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019. The New York Attorney General enforces it, and you can report a violation online. This guide explains what the law covers, what it doesn't, and how to protect yourself when you apply.

What the law says

RPL § 227-f has two parts:

1. The ban. No landlord of residential premises may refuse to rent or offer a lease to someone because that person was a party to a past or pending landlord-tenant action or summary proceeding (the type of case brought in Housing Court).
2. The presumption. If a landlord asked a tenant screening company for information about you, or looked up court records about you, and then refused to rent to you, the law presumes the landlord violated the section. The landlord can try to rebut that, for example by proving you were turned down for a lawful, independent reason.

The Attorney General can sue in state Supreme Court for an injunction and a civil penalty of $500 to $1,000 for each violation. The statute names the Attorney General as its enforcer, so reporting to that office is the main route.

What landlords may and may not do

The Attorney General goes further than the statute in its advice to landlords: don't request a prospective tenant's court records or rental histories at all, and stop using screening companies that still supply them.

What enforcement looks like

1. 2019

   Law takes effect

   RPL 227-f is added by the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act.

2. October 3, 2025

   Parkchester settlement

   The Attorney General found a Bronx manager sent denial letters showing it reviewed housing court records. It agreed to end the policy, let denied applicants reapply, remove “Have you ever been evicted?” and similar questions, post a compliance statement and train staff.

3. 2026

   Brooklyn High Rise settlement

   The Attorney General found a Brooklyn landlord received landlord-tenant records in screening reports from July 2019 to September 2025 and illegally denied 203 applicants with court records. The same agreement found it illegally demanded $500 to $750 “good faith deposits” on top of the $20 fee, and set $352,250 in civil penalties and restitution, including a $100,000 suspended portion.

These are settlements (called Assurances of Discontinuance), not court judgments. They show the kinds of evidence the Attorney General relies on: denial letters, application questions and the screening reports themselves.

How to tell if it happened to you

• The denial letter or email mentions "housing court," "landlord-tenant records," "eviction history" or "rental history."
• The application asked whether you have ever been evicted or sued by a landlord.
• The screening report lists a Housing Court case and the landlord gave no other reason, or the reason doesn't hold up (for example, you meet the income rule).
• The leasing agent told you on the phone that "the court record" was the problem.

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, a landlord that turns you down based on a screening report must give you an adverse action notice naming the screening company and explaining your right to a free copy within 60 days. That copy is your best evidence. See tenant screening reports: your rights for the full process.

How to report a violation

1. 1

   Save everything

   Keep the application, the screening authorization you signed, the denial message and any texts or emails. Write down what the agent told you and when.
2. 2

   Get the screening report

   In New York, a landlord that charges you a screening fee must give you a copy of the report and the invoice. If you were denied, also request your free copy from the screening company within 60 days.
3. 3

   Ask why you were denied

   Ask the landlord in writing which information affected the decision. A written answer either reveals the court record or commits them to another reason.
4. 4

   File with the Attorney General

   Use the online form at ag.ny.gov/tenant-blacklisting-complaint. It asks for the landlord, manager and broker details, the screening company, what happened and why you think the court case caused the denial. You can attach the report. You sign under penalty of perjury.
5. 5

   Fix errors at the source

   If the report shows a case that isn't yours, or lists a dismissed case wrongly, dispute it with the screening company. It generally has 30 days to investigate.

You can also call the Attorney General's help line at 1-800-771-7755. Filing doesn't mean the Attorney General will act for you personally, and the office can't give legal advice. For your own claim, contact a lawyer or legal services provider.

Related protections you may also have

• Application fee cap. A landlord may charge no more than $20 for a background or credit check and must waive it if you bring your own check from the last 30 days. See the $20 cap explained or use the application fee checker.
• Criminal history. NYC's Fair Chance Housing law limits when and how landlords can consider criminal records. See Fair Chance Housing.
• Source of income. In NYC it's illegal to reject you for paying with a voucher or other lawful income. See source-of-income discrimination.
• Discrimination. If you think a denial was based on race, disability, family status or another protected class, see housing discrimination in NYC.

What to do if you're applying now

Don't lie on an application, but you don't need to volunteer an old Housing Court case either. If asked, you can say New York law bars landlords from considering it. Lead with what landlords may lawfully weigh: income, a guarantor if needed, and references. Use the rental application documents checklist to have everything ready, and if you are still turned down, read apartment application denied? What to do next.