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New York StateUnified Court System

Small Property Owner Nonpayment Petition Program

This free and easy program will ask you questions and make a New York City residential nonpayment petition or rent demand. You will also get instructions that will tell you what to do next.

You can use this program if:

  • you do not have a lawyer, and
  • the premises is unregulated housing, and
  • the premises is not owned by a corporation or voluntary association, and
  • you are the owner and landlord of the premises, and
  • the building has five or less apartments, or is a cooperative apartment that you own the shares to, or is a condominium apartment that you own, and
  • the tenant is in possession of the premises.

You will need to know the following information to finish the program:

  1. If the premises is a multiple dwelling, you need the name and address of the registered managing agent and the multiple dwelling registration number. You can find multiple dwelling registration information on the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development website.
  2. You need to know the date of the rental agreement.

 Go to the Small Property Owners Nonpayment Petition Program


If this program is not for you, learn more about starting a case or visit one of the Civil Court’s Help Centers and speak to a help center attorney free of charge, or you can see if there is a court form that you can complete yourself.


Who Can Use These Programs?
You can use DIY Forms if:

  • you're a court user and you don't have a lawyer;
  • you're a legal services provider;
  • you're a pro bono lawyer. Pro bono lawyers filing a DIY Form must submit thispro bono affirmation.
  • you're from a low-bono (reduced fee) program recognized and authorized to use the DIY Form programs by the NYS Courts Access to Justice Program. You must submit this low-bono affirmation with the filing.

Commercial use is prohibited and no one may charge for using these programs. When you begin the program, you will be asked to accept these terms of use.

Computer Requirements
In order to use DIY Form programs, make sure you have the following:

  • Attached printer

Help Using DIY Forms
See Frequently Asked Questions for help using DIY Form programs.


Please Note: It is always better to talk to a lawyer, if possible.