Housing Information Classes

Housing Information Classes for Tenants, Homeowners, and Property Managers

To register, click on the class below or visit the Events page (click on "filter by category" and select Housing Information Classes).

HPD’s housing information classes provide information on a variety of housing issues to tenants, homeowners, and property managers in New York City. The classes are free, led by experts, and held virtually on Zoom. Please see the session topics below for descriptions. Any information shared during these classes is subject to change and does not constitute legal advice.

All NYC Residents

Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal its answer.

Housing Court: What to Expect

Navigating Housing Court can be daunting. Learn Housing Court processes, types of legal cases, and what to expect. It also addresses how tenants can seek recourse through Housing Court, such as to compel an owner to improve housing conditions. This class does not offer nor constitute legal advice.

Topics covered:

  • How to navigate Housing Court
  • Right to Counsel: free and low-cost legal assistance for tenants
  • Different types of cases: access, non-payment, housing part actions, and holdover evictions
  • Illegal lockouts
  • Where to seek help

This class presented by Housing Court Answers is intended for tenants and property owners.

Pests: Eliminate Rodents, Bedbugs, and Roaches using Integrated Pest Management

Residential building owners in New York City are required to take steps to keep their buildings free of mice, rats, roaches, and bedbugs. “Integrated Pest Management” is an affordable and safe approach to pest control. We will also cover owners’ responsibilities to eliminate pests, review the annual inspection requirements, and discuss when to use a licensed contractor.

This class presented by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is intended for tenants and property owners.

Rental Housing Discrimination and Harassment

Discrimination and harassment are illegal! Learn about how and who the New York City Human Rights Law protects: From “protected classes” like age or ethnicity, to protections based on sources of income and disabilities. The NYC Commission on Human Rights is here to help!

This class presented by NYC Commission on Human Rights is intended for tenants, landlords, and realtors.

Renters/Tenants

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Tenants: Know Your Rights

Learn about the laws and rules that protect tenants from eviction, extra fees, and better understand what's in your lease. What is Rent Control, Rent Stabilization, and the new Good Cause Eviction Law? Learn your rights, clear up misconceptions, and learn more about landlord responsibilities.

This class presented by HPD Office of Neighborhood Strategies and is intended for current tenants in NYC.

NYC Housing Connect: The Affordable Housing Lottery

NYC Housing Connect is the portal to find and apply for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities across the five boroughs of New York City.

Topics covered:

  • What affordable housing is available
  • Using NYC Housing Connect to find affordable housing
  • How to prepare to apply for affordable housing
  • What to expect after applying for affordable housing

This class presented by HPD Housing Connect is intended for anyone looking for affordable housing in New York City

Financial Empowerment to Access Housing

Learn about credit, debt, savings, and housing. How do you improve your credit score? Budget for your next apartment or home. This class is an introduction to financial literacy and is not a substitute for financial counseling from a certified professional.

This class is intended for low- and moderate-income tenants and homeowners.

Homeowners/Property Managers

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Owning a Home in NYC

All the various departments and regulations can make homeowners dizzy. We sort them all out for you, tell you who does what and where to go with concerns, problems, or questions. Learn the basics of owning a home in New York City, including the roles of key City agencies and what they require.

This class presented by the HPD Office of Neighborhood Strategies is intended for homeowners. *Please note that it will not cover how to become a homeowner.

Department of Buildings: Rules, Permits, Summons, and More

Come learn how to navigate the NYC Department of Buildings’ online resources including DOB NOW, Building Permits, Certificate of Occupancy (COB) and the Building Information System (BIS). Owners who have existing “open” OATH summonses issued by a DOB Inspector can also learn how to resolve these.

This class presented by NYC Department of Buildings is intended for homeowners, property owners, and property managers.

Lead-Based Paint Basics for Homeowners

Own or live in a home built before 1978? You may have lead paint on your walls, which can poison young children. Learn about the dangers of lead paint to our health and how to identify and safely remediate lead-based paint hazards. The class will also describe how to remove violations and what resources are available to help.

This class presented by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is intended for homeowners, property owners, and tenants.

Energy Efficiency and Solar Power for Homeowners

Everywhere in NYC solar panels are being installed on roofs. Learn about how to use solar power for your home and other ways to reduce your electricity bill through energy efficiencies in the home. Can heat pumps replace your old furnace? Are any of these right for you and your home and who should you talk to?

This class presented by Kinetic Communities is intended for homeowners.

Avoiding Deed Theft: A Homeowners’ Guide

With housing prices still on the rise, scammers are looking for ways to get control of your home. Protect your home from deed theft and other scams, learn how to safeguard your home now and for future generations.

This class presented by Brooklyn Legal Services is intended for homeowners and their families.

Classes Schedule:

General NYC Housing Classes:

  1. February 11 at 6pm - NYC Housing Connect: The Affordable Housing Lottery – REGISTER HERE
  2. February 13 at 12pm – NYC Housing Connect: The Affordable Housing Lottery - REGISTER HERE
  3. February 19 at 6pm – Financial Empowerment to Access Housing – REGISTER HERE
  4. February 20 at 12pm – Housing Court: What to Expect – REGISTER HERE
  5. February 24 at 6pm – Housing Court: What to Expect – REGISTER HERE
  6. February 27 at 12pm - Pests: Eliminate Rodents, Bedbugs, and Roaches Using Integrated Pest Management – REGISTER HERE
  7. March 4 at 12pm – Financial Empowerment to Access Housing – REGISTER HERE
  8. March 5 at 6pm – Pests: Eliminate Rodents, Bedbugs, and Roaches Using Integrated Pest Management – REGISTER HERE

Tenants Classes:

  1. March 11 at 6pm - Rent Stabilized & Rent Control Tenants: Know Your Rights REGISTER HERE
  2. March 13 at 12pm -Tenants: Know Your Rights – Market Rate Apartments and Good Cause Protections  – REGISTER HERE
  3. March 18 at 6pm – Rental Housing Discrimination and Harassment – REGISTER HERE
  4. March 20 at 12pm -Rent Stabilized & Rent Control Tenants: Know Your Rights – REGISTER HERE
  5. March 25 at 6pm - Tenants: Know Your Rights – Market Rate Apartments and Good Cause Protections – REGISTER HERE
  6. March 27 at 12pm – Rental Housing Discrimination and Harassment – REGISTER HERE

Classes for Homeowners:

  1. April 2 at 6pm - Owning a Home in NYC – REGISTER HERE
  2. April 3 at 12pm - Department of Buildings: Rules, Permits, Summons, and More – REGISTER HERE
  3. April 8 at 12pm - Lead-Based Paint – REGISTER HERE
  4. April 10 at 6pm – Avoiding Deed Theft – REGISTER HERE
  5. April 15 at 12pm – Avoiding Deed Theft – REGISTER HERE
  6. April 17 at 6pm - Department of Buildings: Rules, Permits, Summons, and More – REGISTER HERE
  7. April 22 at 12pm - Owning a Home in NYC – REGISTER HERE
  8. April 24 at 6pm – Energy Efficiency and Solar Power for Homeowners – REGISTER HERE

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