Right to Counsel: free lawyers for NYC tenants

New York City’s Right to Counsel law gives tenants facing eviction in Housing Court, or in a NYCHA termination of tenancy case, a free lawyer to represent them if their household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or if they are 60 or older. Tenants above the income limit can still get free brief legal advice, in every ZIP code and regardless of immigration status.

The fastest way to get a lawyer is to go to your first court date and say “I would like an attorney.” Use the checker below to see what you’re likely to get and how to connect.

What the law covers

The program was created by Local Law 136 of 2017, the first law of its kind in the U.S. The city calls it Universal Access to Legal Services; tenants and courts usually call it Right to Counsel. It is run by the Office of Civil Justice (OCJ) at the Human Resources Administration through nonprofit legal services organizations. It started in 15 ZIP codes, went citywide in 2020, and in March 2023 expanded to tenants 60 and older regardless of income.

The city lists these situations as ones where tenants should reach out for free legal help:

• A pending eviction case in Housing Court (nonpayment or holdover).
• A motion to restore or enforce an eviction.
• A warrant of eviction.
• A lockout by your landlord without a court order or warrant.
• A termination of tenancy case brought by NYCHA.
• Serious repairs your landlord won’t make (handled through a separate anti-harassment program).

Income limits for full representation

Full representation is for households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. The table shows 200% of the 2026 guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The court’s own Right to Counsel page still shows an older, lower chart, so don’t rule yourself out because of it. The legal services provider screens your income and makes the decision, so if you’re near the line, ask anyway.

How to get a lawyer

1. 1

   Answer your case first

   Don’t wait for a lawyer to answer the petition. In a nonpayment case you must answer within 10 days at the clerk’s office. See how to answer.
2. 2

   Call before your court date

   Housing Court Answers: 718-557-1379 or 212-962-4795 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm). Or call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline. You can also email [email protected] with your name, phone number and Housing Court index number.
3. 3

   Ask in court

   At your first appearance, say “I would like an attorney,” or stop anyone wearing a teal “Speak with a free lawyer” button. If you’re already at the courthouse, you can also ask the clerk or the court attorney in your courtroom.
4. 4

   Ask for time if you need it

   You are entitled to one adjournment of at least 14 days, for example to get a lawyer. An initial adjournment to find counsel doesn’t count toward the rule that can lead to a rent deposit order.
5. 5

   Bring proof of income and household size

   Pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns help the provider confirm eligibility quickly.

Does it make a difference?

According to OCJ’s FY2025 annual report, providers gave full legal representation to more than 22,700 households in eviction cases that year, a record. In the last quarter of FY2025, 44% of tenants who appeared in eviction cases had full representation, up from 30% when the program launched in 2017. Among fully represented households whose cases closed in FY2025, providers reported that 83% were allowed to remain in their homes, a figure that includes households given extra time to move.

If you don’t qualify for full representation

• Ask for brief legal assistance at court or through Housing Court Answers.
• Use the court’s help resources and the 14-day adjournment to prepare or hire a private lawyer.
• Learn your timeline: the NYC eviction process and what to do about a marshal’s notice.
• Check whether Good Cause Eviction or rent stabilization protects your apartment.