Brooklyn Housing Court is the part of the NYC Civil Court that hears eviction cases and other landlord-tenant cases in Kings County. If you got nonpayment eviction papers, the deadline you must not miss at Brooklyn Housing Court is this: you have 10 days to answer after the papers were given to you.
Brooklyn Housing Court: Location, Hours, and Case Lookup
Brooklyn Housing Court shares a building with the Kings County Civil Court. It is in Downtown Brooklyn. Plan to arrive early. In most cases, the security line at the door is the slowest part of the morning.
Your court papers list an index number, a courtroom (called a “Part”), and a date. Write these down and bring them with you. The clerk at Brooklyn Housing Court can pull up your case with that index number. The Help Center can also help you find it. Official forms and guides are on the New York City Housing Court page.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 141 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 |
| Housing phone | 646-386-5750 |
| Building hours | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday (evening court). Public entry starts at 9:00 a.m. |
| Courtrooms | Generally 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, closed 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. |
| Clerk’s office | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. After 4:30 p.m., only emergency requests are taken. |
| Help Center | Room 404. Phone (347) 404-9043 or (347) 404-9044. Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday (closed 1:00 to 2:15 p.m.) |
| Interpreter line | 646-386-5670 (free interpreter) |
| Case lookup | Use the index number on your papers. Ask the clerk or the Help Center. |
These hours and numbers come from the court’s Kings County directory, checked in September 2026. Hours can change. Check the NYC Civil Court directory or call before you go.
Your Deadlines After You Are Served
New York has two main kinds of eviction cases. A “nonpayment” case says you owe rent. A “holdover” case says you must leave for another reason. For example, the landlord may say your lease ended or you broke a rule.
In a nonpayment case, the court’s official notice says you must answer within 10 days after the papers were given to you. You answer by going to the landlord-tenant clerk’s office at Brooklyn Housing Court. Your answer lists your defenses, meaning the legal reasons you don’t owe some or all of the rent. For example, you may have already paid, or the landlord may have ignored repairs. In a holdover case, your papers give a hearing date.
Typically, you answer by showing up on that date. However, read your own papers closely to be sure.
If you miss a deadline or a court date, the landlord can ask for a “default judgment.” That means the landlord wins because you did not show up. As a result, an eviction could move forward. If this happens, go to the clerk right away. You may be able to ask the judge to reopen your case with an “order to show cause.”
What Happens on Your Court Date at Brooklyn Housing Court
First, go through security and find your Part on the calendar. Then check in with the court officer. Brooklyn Housing Court is often crowded, so plan to spend most of the day there. Bring your lease, rent receipts, bank records, photos of repair problems, and any letters from your landlord.
The court says a large number of cases settle in conferences. These talks may include the landlord’s lawyer, mediators, court attorneys, and sometimes the judge. You might be offered a “stipulation,” which is a written deal. Never sign one you don’t understand. You can ask for time to speak with a lawyer first. If there is no deal, the judge holds a hearing and decides.
If the judge rules for the landlord, the court may issue a judgment and a warrant of eviction. However, only a city marshal can carry out an eviction, and you must get written notice first. The number of days, and your window to ask for more time or to appeal, should be confirmed with the Brooklyn Housing Court clerk or a legal-aid office. Don’t wait to ask.
Free Help in This Courthouse
You don’t have to face this alone. Brooklyn Housing Court has a Help Center in Room 404 at 141 Livingston Street. Staff can explain the forms, help you find your case, and point you to the right room. They cannot act as your lawyer. However, they can help you get ready.
New York City has a Right to Counsel program. Many tenants can get a free lawyer in eviction cases, depending on income and where the case is. Ask the court officer or clerk at Brooklyn Housing Court where the legal services desk is. For an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney as soon as you can.
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If you don’t speak English well, or you are deaf or hard of hearing, you have a right to a free interpreter. Tell the court clerk you need one, or call 646-386-5670. Ask ahead of time so your hearing isn’t delayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lose my case if I miss my date at Brooklyn Housing Court?
Yes. The landlord can get a default judgment, and an eviction could follow. If you missed a date, go to the clerk at Brooklyn Housing Court quickly and ask how to reopen your case.
Do I need a lawyer?
You are not required to have one. However, many tenants who have lawyers get better outcomes. Ask about Right to Counsel at the courthouse or call a local legal-aid office.
What should I bring?
Bring your court papers, photo ID, lease, rent receipts, and photos of any repair problems. Also bring copies of texts or letters with your landlord. More proof is better than less.
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.