NYC Housing Court Glossary
Rent Abatement
Plain EnglishA court-ordered reduction in what you owe
Legal Definition
A court-ordered reduction in rent to compensate for the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions. You can seek abatement as a counterclaim in a nonpayment case.
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Practical Tip
If your apartment has had serious conditions problems, you may owe far less than the landlord claims — or nothing at all.
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