Landlord Harassment Tenant Rights

Summary

The tenant, a single mother with a mentally disabled transgender daughter, is being harassed by her landlord in New York. The landlord enters the home without notice, goes through their garbage, and nags about minor issues. The tenant has evidence of the harassment in text messages and witnesses. She was advised to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and seek legal representation. She was provided with contacts for legal aid services and civil rights lawyers in her area. The tenant is also seeking to terminate her lease early due to the harassment.

Full Conversation

Landlord caused mentally disable daughter to close up and stay in room for the past 9 months. She is depressed and not doing good
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, ****. Can you please elaborate on how the landlord caused this?
It was just brought to my attention that once i would leave for work my landlord would come in my home without knocking and it would put my daughter in a frenzy. My daughter is transgender and is really not well. The landlord also ise to aleays harras me so with everything together it caused her to shut down mentally physically and emotionally
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Have you reported this to the police or any other authority?
No i didnt know what steps to make
What state are you located in? This will help me provide the most accurate information regarding your rights as a tenant.
New york
Have you documented any of these incidents? It's important to have evidence in such cases.

In New York, landlords are required to provide notice before entering a tenant's home.
Most are in text. And i have witness
What kind of harassment did the landlord engage in? In New York, harassment by a landlord can be considered a violation of the Warranty of Habitability.
Going thru my garbage, harrassing me to take blinds down cuz one broken blind. Im a single mother i cant afford new blinds and didnt want to walk around with a hole window open for view to the outside. She made me take nik knacks out of window because she said it would cause holes in the screen. She just constantly nagging about things she has no right to . And she also is trying to keep away my daughters step dad who helps keep a eye on them while i work away. She threatened to call police all because she dont kike him. It has caused me to miss work or come home early loosing time at work and also getting in trouble
Have you considered filing a harassment complaint against your landlord with the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR)?
Never heard of it
The DHCR is a state agency that handles complaints about landlord harassment. You can file a complaint online or by mail. Here's their contact: *-*-*-*, located at * Beaver Street, New York, NY *.
Will u still help me
Of course, ****. I'm here to provide you with legal information. Have you considered seeking legal representation for this matter?
Yes
Have you already contacted a lawyer or are you still looking for one?
Looking for one
What is your location in New York? This will help me provide you with contact details of the nearest legal aid services.
Can i do both
Sure, ****. You can both file a complaint with DHCR and seek legal representation. Would you like assistance finding a lawyer in your area?
Elmira
Sure, ****. You can contact the Chemung County Public Advocate at (*) *-*. They are located at * Lake Street, Elmira, NY *.
Yes
Have you informed your landlord about your daughter's condition and how his actions are affecting her?

General Information:
- In New York, landlords must respect tenants' privacy.
- Landlord harassment is illegal and can be reported to DHCR.
- Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Elmira: (*) *-*, * E Church St #*, Elmira, NY *.
Yes on multiple occasions. Have that in text proof also. Except not for the whole 10 months cuz i have broke past phones. And i did contact legal aide
What was the response of the legal aid when you contacted them?
They said i have a civil suit
What is the nature of the civil suit that the legal aid mentioned?
Landlord harassment
What steps have you taken since the legal aid advised you that you have a civil suit for landlord harassment?
You are dirst step
I only have contacted you
What is the current status of your living situation? Are you still residing in the same property with your daughter?
What do u mean
Are you and your daughter still living in the same property where these incidents occurred?
Yes. Looking for a place now to.move
Yes we arr
What steps have you taken in finding a new place to live?
Im currently looking and talking with one landlord
What is the status of your conversation with the new landlord? Are there any legal concerns you have about this potential new lease?
Waiting on paperwork from arbor
What is the Arbor paperwork you're waiting for?
A termination letter for current landlord to sign so i can terminate lease early without any legal issues
What is the reason you're providing to your current landlord for terminating the lease early?
Havent provided one yet. Didnt know what to say
I havent
What is the reason you're considering for terminating the lease early with your current landlord?
Because of the harassment
Because she is harassing me
Can i have a few civil lawyers names in elmira ny
Sure, here are a few civil lawyers in Elmira, NY:

*. Christopher Denton - (*) *-*
*. James Reed - (*) *-*
*. Albert J. Millus, Jr. - (*) *-*

Please contact them directly for assistance.
Do you have more
Can i have more civil rights lawyers in horseheads ny
Can you send me names of civil rights lawyers in horseheads new york
Sure, here are a few civil rights lawyers in Horseheads, NY:

*. Christina Sonsire - (*) *-*
*. Albert J. Millus, Jr. - (*) *-*
*. James Reed - (*) *-*

Please contact them directly for assistance.