Brooklyn Landlord-Tenant Lawyers
Housing Court Representation at 141 Livingston Street
Start Your Case Review →The Law Office of Jason Browne PLLC has represented tenants and landlords in Kings County Housing Court since 2012. My office is in Boerum Hill, a ten-minute walk from the courthouse at 141 Livingston Street—the same courthouse where I've spent over a decade learning which clerks handle which filings, which judges run which parts, and how cases actually move through Brooklyn's busiest housing court.
Brooklyn isn't Manhattan. The housing stock is different—more rent-stabilized walk-ups, more small landlords, more multi-generational tenancies in neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights. The court culture is different too. If you're facing a housing crisis in Brooklyn, you want a Brooklyn landlord-tenant lawyer who knows this borough.
Why Brooklyn Housing Court Is Different
Kings County Housing Court is one of the busiest in New York State, processing tens of thousands of cases annually. The security line wraps around the block on Monday mornings. The elevators are notorious for breaking down. And if you don't know your way around, you'll spend half your day in the wrong courtroom.
The court operates in parts. Non-payment cases typically start in the Resolution Part, where court attorneys try to broker settlements in crowded hallways before cases ever see a judge. Holdover cases and HP Actions (repair cases) have their own calendars and procedures. Knowing which part handles your case—and which judges tend to favor which arguments—matters.
Brooklyn also has a distinct hallway culture. Many cases settle not in courtrooms but in negotiations between attorneys in the corridor. Lawyers who practice here daily know who to talk to and how deals get done. Out-of-borough attorneys showing up for a one-off case often struggle to navigate this informal system.
The DHCR Brooklyn Borough Rent Office, which handles rent stabilization complaints and registrations for Kings County, adds another layer. Overcharge claims, succession rights disputes, and registration issues often run on parallel tracks between Housing Court and DHCR. I handle both.
What I Handle in Brooklyn
For Brooklyn Tenants
Eviction Defense
Non-payment and holdover cases in Kings County Housing Court. I raise every available defense: improper service, warranty of habitability breaches, rent overcharges, retaliation, and procedural defects.
HP Actions for Repairs
When your landlord ignores heat outages, leaks, mold, or pest infestations, an HP Action asks a judge to order repairs and impose penalties.
Rent Stabilization Disputes
Overcharge complaints, illegal deregulation challenges, and succession rights claims. Many Brooklyn buildings that landlords claim are "market rate" are actually still stabilized under HSTPA.
Illegal Lockout Response
If your landlord changed your locks without a court order and Marshal's execution, that's illegal. I file emergency proceedings to restore you to possession—often the same day.
Good Cause Eviction Protections
The new law (effective April 2024) protects many market-rate tenants from arbitrary non-renewals and excessive rent increases.
For Brooklyn Landlords
Non-Payment Proceedings
From rent demands through judgment and warrant. I handle the paperwork, court appearances, and Marshal coordination so you can focus on your properties.
Holdover Proceedings
Lease violations, nuisance tenants, owner-use cases. Holdover evictions require precise notice sequences—I get them right the first time.
DHCR Compliance
Rent registration, renewal lease requirements, legal rent calculations. Non-compliance can freeze your rents and expose you to treble damages.
Lease Enforcement & Buyouts
When negotiation makes more sense than litigation, I structure buyout agreements that protect your interests.
My Brooklyn Office
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Neighborhood: Boerum Hill, two blocks from Atlantic Terminal and the Barclays Center. The office sits on a tree-lined block between Court Street and Smith Street, in the heart of brownstone Brooklyn.
Transit
- Atlantic Ave-Barclays Ctr (2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R) — 5-minute walk
- Bergen Street (F, G) — 7-minute walk
- Hoyt-Schermerhorn (A, C, G) — 10-minute walk
Parking
Metered street parking on Pacific Street. Icon Parking garage at 525 Atlantic Avenue is a 3-minute walk.
Hours
By appointment. Phone and text available 24/7 for emergencies.
Brooklyn Neighborhoods I Serve
I represent tenants and landlords across all of Kings County. My clients come from Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, and Bushwick—neighborhoods with some of Brooklyn's oldest rent-stabilized housing stock and most aggressive development pressure. I serve Park Slope, Prospect Heights, and Fort Greene, where small landlords and longtime tenants often find themselves in disputes over building sales and renovations.
I handle cases from Brownsville, East New York, and Canarsie, communities where tenants frequently face habitability issues and landlords navigate complex regulatory requirements. My practice extends to Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, and Sunset Park, and Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, and Brooklyn Heights.
If your case is in Kings County Housing Court, I can help.
What My Clients Say
"Jay Browne was fantastic to work with. He really took the time to understand what we were going through and helped us sort things out with care and professionalism. You can tell he's passionate about tenants' rights."
— Michael D.
"We have had the pleasure of working with Jay on our housing court case, and I couldn't be more impressed. From the beginning, he was incredibly enthusiastic and went above and beyond to ensure we understood the entire process."
— Karen
"Jay demonstrated exceptional professionalism, attentiveness, and expertise. He took the time to thoroughly understand my situation, patiently explained all my options, and provided clear, practical advice every step of the way."
— Luzshara C.
*Results vary. Every case is different.
Start Your Case Review
Whether you're a tenant facing eviction or a landlord dealing with a problem tenancy, the first step is understanding your options.
Or call me directly: (347) 669-3256
Consultations available by phone, video, or in person at my Boerum Hill office.
About The Law Office of Jason Browne PLLC
Jason "Jay" Browne has practiced landlord-tenant law in Brooklyn since 2012. Admitted to the New York State Bar in 2012 (Bar ID: 4852687), he has represented hundreds of tenants and landlords in Kings County Housing Court, DHCR proceedings, and related matters.
The firm handles cases throughout New York City's five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester—but Brooklyn is home.
This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Contact me for guidance on your specific situation.
