Rochester housing court is the name most renters use for the landlord-tenant part of Rochester City Court, where eviction cases in the city are heard. If you get court papers, rochester housing court will list a court date, and the one deadline you must not miss is showing up on that date.
Rochester Housing Court: Location, Hours, and Case Lookup
There is no separate building called rochester housing court. Instead, eviction cases go to the Civil Division of Rochester City Court. That part of the court also handles small claims and commercial claims. It sits in the 7th Judicial District.
The Civil Division is in Room 6 of the Hall of Justice downtown. It is open Monday to Friday. It is closed on weekends. In most cases, the fastest way to check your case is to call the clerk with your name and address ready. You can also check the court’s civil calendar on the Rochester City Court page.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Rochester City Court, Civil Division (landlord-tenant cases), 7th Judicial District |
| Address | Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd., Room 6, Rochester, NY 14614 |
| Phone | 585-371-3412 (Civil Division) |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Payments must be finished by 3:30 p.m. |
| Case lookup | Civil calendar on the court’s official page, or call the clerk |
| Forms | New York landlord and tenant forms |
Hours and phone numbers can change. As a result, confirm them on the official court page before you go to rochester housing court.
Your Deadlines After You Are Served
An eviction case starts when you receive a Notice of Petition and a Petition. These papers say why the landlord wants you out. They also give a date, time, and room for your hearing. Read them right away. Typically, the date is only days away.
Outside New York City, many tenants answer at the hearing itself. That means you tell the judge your side in person. However, the exact answer rules depend on your case type. Confirm them with the clerk at rochester housing court or on the court’s forms page. For example, the state court system explains that a judge must give a tenant who asks at least a 14-day adjournment to get ready or find a lawyer.
If you do not show up, the court may enter a “default.” A default means the landlord can win without you ever speaking. For a plain definition, see default judgment on Cornell LII. As a result, a missed date at rochester housing court can lead quickly to a judgment and a warrant of eviction.
What Happens on Your Court Date at Rochester Housing Court
Get to the Hall of Justice early. Expect a security line. Then go to the Civil Division and check in for your case. Bring your lease, rent receipts, texts, photos of repairs, and any notices your landlord sent.
At rochester housing court, many cases are called together on one calendar. In most cases, you may be asked to talk with the landlord or their lawyer before the judge hears the case. Be careful here. Do not sign a settlement you do not understand. You can ask the judge for time to get legal help first.
If there is no deal, the judge holds a hearing. Both sides can speak and show proof. The judge then decides. If the landlord wins, a warrant of eviction may follow. However, tenants in New York may be able to ask for more time or appeal. The time limits for these steps are strict. Confirm them with the court clerk or a legal-aid office right away.
Free Help in This Courthouse
You do not have to face rochester housing court alone. Legal-aid groups in Rochester help tenants with eviction cases, often for free. For example, the Legal Aid Society of Rochester and Legal Assistance of Western New York both work with tenants. Call before your court date if you can. Ask the clerk what help is available in the building that day.
Some programs have staff on site at Rochester City Court on certain days. Days and hours change, so confirm them by phone first. Typically, you will need your court papers and proof of income to see if you qualify for a free lawyer.
If English is not your first language, ask for a free interpreter. You can ask the clerk when you check in. It is best to ask ahead by calling the Civil Division. If you have a disability, you can also ask the court for an accommodation. Rochester housing court staff can point you to the right office.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is rochester housing court located?
Rochester housing court cases are heard at the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd., Room 6, Rochester, NY 14614. This is the Civil Division of Rochester City Court. Call 585-371-3412 to confirm before you go.
Can I get more time to prepare for my case?
In many cases, yes. New York’s court system says a tenant who asks at the first court date can get at least a 14-day adjournment. Ask the judge directly, and use that time to call a legal-aid office.
What if I cannot make it to rochester housing court on my date?
Call the Civil Division right away, before your date if possible. Missing court without contacting anyone can lead to a default judgment. A local legal-aid office can help you ask for a new date.
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.