Buffalo housing court (#1) is the Housing Part of Buffalo City Court, and it hears eviction cases, rent cases, and repair cases for homes inside the City of Buffalo. If you have been served with eviction papers, the date on your Notice of Petition matters most. If you miss that date at buffalo housing court (#2), the landlord may get a judgment against you without hearing your side.
Buffalo Housing Court: Location, Hours, and Case Lookup
Buffalo housing court (#4) sits inside the main Buffalo City Court Building downtown. It handles cases about housing code enforcement for property in the City of Buffalo. It also hears eviction cases, rent-due claims, and cases where tenants ask to pause rent because the landlord failed to make repairs. If you live outside city limits, your case may be in a different town or village court.
Hours are a little tricky. In most cases, the Housing Court office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, landlord-tenant court sessions run Monday through Thursday, mornings and afternoons, and on Friday mornings only. As a result, your papers should list a specific time. Plan to arrive well before it.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Buffalo City Court, Housing Part (8th Judicial District) |
| Address | Buffalo City Court Building, 50 Delaware Avenue, 6th floor, Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | 716-845-2642 (Housing Part) |
| Fax | 716-845-7578 |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Landlord-tenant sessions | Monday–Thursday mornings and afternoons; Friday mornings only |
| Case lookup | Call the Housing Part with your index number, or ask the clerk about online lookup options |
| Court website | Buffalo City Court Housing and Landlord/Tenant Court |
To find your case, look for the index number on your Notice of Petition. Typically, it sits near the top of the first page. Call the clerk with that number and your name. For forms and general court details, start at the Buffalo City Court home page.
Your Deadlines After You Are Served at Buffalo Housing Court
Eviction papers usually come in two parts. The Petition says why the landlord wants you out. The Notice of Petition tells you the date, time, and place of your first appearance at buffalo housing court (#5). That date is your most important deadline.
New York law sets the rules for when papers must be served and when you must answer. The exact day counts depend on the type of case, such as unpaid rent or a “holdover.” We are not listing them here because the court’s page does not state them. Confirm your exact deadline with the clerk at buffalo housing court (#6) or with a legal-aid lawyer right away.
A “default” means you did not show up or respond in time. For example, if you miss your date, the judge may rule for the landlord without you. As a result, a warrant of eviction could follow. You may be able to ask the court to undo a default, but it is much harder than simply showing up.
What Happens on Your Court Date at Buffalo Housing Court
Arrive early and go to the 6th floor. Check in with the clerk or court officer so the court knows you are there. Bring your lease, rent receipts, bank records, photos of repair problems, and any texts or letters. Bring copies if you can. In most cases, buffalo housing court (#7) handles many cases in one session, so expect to wait.
Most cases at buffalo housing court (#8) start with Alternative Dispute Resolution. A Court Attorney helps you and the landlord talk. You may reach an agreement, said out loud on the record or written as a “stipulation.” Read any stipulation carefully before you sign. It is a binding court order. However, you never have to agree to terms you cannot meet.
If you cannot agree, the court schedules a hearing before a judge or hearing officer. Both sides can tell their story and show proof. The judge then decides. If you lose, you may be able to ask for more time or appeal. Those time limits are strict. Confirm them with the clerk or a lawyer right after the decision.
Free Help in This Courthouse
You do not have to face buffalo housing court (#9) alone. According to the court, eligible tenants may get a free lawyer from local providers. These include Neighborhood Legal Services, the Center for Elder Law and Justice, the Legal Aid Bureau, the Volunteer Lawyers Project, and the Western New York Law Center. Ask the clerk which groups are in the building on your court date.
Free interpreters are also available. This includes foreign language interpreters and sign language interpreters. To ask for one, call the Buffalo City Court Chief Clerk’s Office at 716-845-2689. Tell them the language or dialect you need. Typically, it helps to call well before your court date.
If you have a disability, you may also ask for an accommodation. For example, you might need a seat near the bench or extra breaks. Call the Chief Clerk’s Office early and explain what you need. Buffalo housing court (#10) staff can point you to the right person.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be evicted the same day as my first court date?
A court date is not the same as a lockout. In most cases, the landlord needs a judgment and then a warrant before anyone can remove you. If you have a case at buffalo housing court (#11), call legal aid right away to learn your timeline.
What if my landlord will not make repairs?
The Housing Part hears cases about the landlord’s duty to keep a home livable. Tenants may be able to ask for a stay or a rent reduction when repairs are ignored. Bring photos and dated messages to buffalo housing court (#12) to show the problem.
Do I need a lawyer?
You are not required to have one. However, a lawyer can spot defenses you may miss. Many tenants qualify for free help from the legal-aid groups serving Buffalo City Court.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
New York Renter Guides
- New York Eviction Process
- New York Tenant Rights
- New York Security Deposit Law
- New York Rent Increase Laws
- New York Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in New York
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.