New York Tenant Harassment Demand Letter

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Email]

[DATE]

[Landlord/Property Owner]
[[Landlord Name and Address]]
[City, State ZIP]

RE: RE: Demand to Cease Harassment and Pay Damages – [Your Address], Apt. [Unit Number]

Dear Sir or Madam:

Dear [Landlord/Management Company Name]: I am writing to demand that you immediately cease your illegal harassment and pay damages for violations of the New York City Administrative Code § 27-2004, which prohibits tenant harassment. TENANCY BACKGROUND I am a [rent-stabilized / rent-controlled] tenant at [Your Address], Apartment [Unit Number]. I have resided here since [Move-in Date] and pay $[Monthly Rent] per month in rent. HARASSMENT CONDUCT Since approximately [Date], you have engaged in a pattern of harassment intended to cause me to vacate my apartment or waive my rights as a rent-stabilized tenant. Your harassing conduct includes: Incident #1: [Type of harassment – e.g., Illegal Lockout]
Date: [Date]
Description: [e.g., "You changed the locks to my apartment while I was at work, preventing me from entering. I had to call the police (report #[number]) and wait 3 hours to regain entry. You provided no notice and had no legal basis for this lockout."] Incident #2: [Type – e.g., Threats and Intimidation]
Date: [Date]
Description: [e.g., "Your superintendent came to my door and stated, 'You need to leave or we'll make your life hell here. The owner wants this apartment for his daughter.' He also implied I would face eviction if I didn't vacate voluntarily."] Incident #3: [Type – e.g., Utility Shut-offs]
Date: [Date]
Description: [e.g., "You shut off heat and hot water to my apartment for 5 days in January, forcing me to stay with family. HPD issued violations (Case #[number])."] Incident #4: [Type – e.g., Deliberate Neglect of Repairs]
Date: [Ongoing since Date]
Description: [e.g., "Despite multiple written requests, you have refused to repair the broken window in my bedroom, leaving it boarded up and creating a health and safety hazard. I believe this is deliberate to make the apartment uninhabitable."] Pattern of Harassment: [e.g., "These incidents are part of your systematic effort to drive rent-stabilized tenants from the building to convert to market-rate apartments. Three other long-term tenants have been forced out in the past year under similar circumstances."] INTENT TO CAUSE VACANCY Your conduct clearly demonstrates an intent to cause me to vacate my rent-stabilized apartment: • [e.g., "You offered me $10,000 to 'voluntarily' leave, stating you want to renovate and rent at market rate"]
• [e.g., "You filed a frivolous eviction case claiming lease violations that never occurred—the case was dismissed"]
• [e.g., "You repeatedly stated your intention to 'get rid of' rent-stabilized tenants"]
• [e.g., "Building records show you're renovating vacant apartments and renting them for triple my rent"] This conduct falls squarely within the definition of harassment under NYC Admin Code § 27-2004(a)(48). DOCUMENTED VIOLATIONS I have filed complaints with the NYC Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force: • HPD Harassment Complaint: Case #[Number], filed [Date]
• HPD issued [number] violations for [lack of heat/hot water/other]
• [If applicable: Criminal complaint filed for illegal lockout] DAMAGES INCURRED Your harassment has caused me substantial damages: • Emotional distress: Anxiety, sleep loss, fear for my safety and housing security
• Temporary housing costs: $[amount] for [hotel/staying with family during lockout/utility shutoff]
• Property damage: $[amount] for [damaged belongings from lockout, etc.]
• Lost work time: $[amount] for time off work dealing with harassment incidents
• Moving/storage costs: $[if applicable]
• Legal consultation fees: $[amount] Total Actual Damages: $[Total Amount] LEGAL BASIS NYC Administrative Code § 27-2004(a)(48): Defines tenant harassment as any act or omission by a landlord intended to cause a tenant to vacate, or waive/surrender rights. Your conduct constitutes multiple violations. NYC Administrative Code § 27-2005(d): Provides that tenants subjected to harassment can recover: • Actual damages • Civil penalties of $1,000 to $10,000 per violation • Punitive damages • Reasonable attorney's fees and costs • Injunctive relief NY Real Property Law § 223-b: Prohibits retaliatory conduct when tenants assert their rights or complain about violations. Based on [number] documented harassment incidents, you are liable for civil penalties of $[amount – e.g., "$1,000 × 5 violations = $5,000 minimum"], plus actual and punitive damages. DEMAND I hereby demand that you: 1. IMMEDIATELY CEASE all harassment, including: • Any lockouts or interference with my tenancy
• Threats, intimidation, or coercive conduct
• Utility shut-offs or service disruptions
• Deliberate failure to maintain habitable conditions
• Frivolous legal proceedings
• Any other conduct intended to force me to vacate 2. PAY DAMAGES within 30 days: • Actual damages: $[amount]
• Civil penalties (minimum): $[amount]
• Total: $[Total Amount]
• I reserve the right to seek additional punitive damages and attorney's fees if litigation is necessary 3. MAKE REPAIRS to restore habitable conditions: • [List specific repairs needed]
• All repairs must be completed within [reasonable timeframe] days 4. PROVIDE WRITTEN ASSURANCE that no further harassment will occur CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE If you fail to comply with these demands, I will immediately: 1. File a lawsuit under NYC Admin Code § 27-2005 seeking: • Maximum civil penalties of $10,000 per violation
• Actual damages
• Punitive damages
• Attorney's fees and costs
• Preliminary and permanent injunctions against further harassment 2. Request an Order to Show Cause for emergency injunctive relief if harassment continues 3. File additional complaints with: • HPD Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force
• NYC Department of Buildings
• NYC Human Rights Commission (if discrimination involved)
• District Attorney's office for criminal harassment prosecution 4. Publicize your harassment through tenant advocacy organizations, media, and public forums 5. Pursue all other available legal remedies Under NYC law, landlord harassment is taken very seriously. Courts routinely award substantial civil penalties and punitive damages to deter such conduct. I demand that you immediately cease this unlawful harassment. I will not be intimidated into giving up my home. I know my rights and I will enforce them vigorously. Please respond in writing within 7 days to acknowledge this letter and confirm you will cease all harassment and pay the demanded damages. Sincerely, [Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Your Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address] Enclosures: Photos/videos of harassment, HPD complaints and violations, Police reports, Witness statements, Correspondence documenting harassment

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]