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Resolution

Landlord & Tenant Litigation

Resolve housing and lease disputes with a clear understanding of rights, obligations, and process.

Disputes require a different kind of counsel: strategic, direct, and prepared to resolve the matter efficiently or advocate in court when necessary.

Protect your position when documents, obligations, or interests are disputed.

Landlord-tenant matters often move quickly and involve strict procedural requirements. Zeh & Associates represents clients in eviction, lease, rent, property-condition, lockout, and related housing disputes.

A notice served incorrectly can cost a landlord months. A defense overlooked can cost a tenant a home.

These matters are decided on procedure as often as on merits. A defective notice restarts the whole proceeding.

Possession, payment, and condition.

Housing matters turn on notices and deadlines. These are the proceedings and disputes we handle for both sides.

Eviction Proceedings

Handle holdover and nonpayment proceedings.

Lease Drafting, Review & Enforcement

Clarify lease obligations and address breaches.

Notice Preparation & Service

Prepare notices and navigate procedural requirements.

Tenant Defaults

Address unpaid rent, lease violations, and other defaults.

Security Deposit Disputes

Represent parties in disputes involving withheld or claimed deposits.

Property Damage Claims

Address damage and responsibility disputes connected to tenancy.

Housing & Civil Court Representation

Represent clients in court proceedings arising from landlord-tenant conflicts.

Knowledge

The same dispute looks different depending on which side of the lease you are on.

Landlord-tenant litigation requires careful attention to notices, lease terms, statutory protections, procedural rules, and the specific facts of the tenancy.

For LandlordsNonpayment, holdover proceedings, defaults, lease enforcement, notices, property damage, and court representation.
For TenantsWrongful eviction or lockout, uninhabitable conditions, harassment or retaliation, rent overcharges, security deposits, and lease violations.

Notice first, then the courthouse.

Review the Lease & Facts

Identify the governing documents, payment history, notices, property condition, and disputed conduct.

Confirm Procedure

Determine which notices, deadlines, and court procedures apply.

Define the Objective

Clarify whether the goal is possession, payment, compliance, damages, or defense.

Proceed Strategically

Use negotiation, notices, filings, and court process as appropriate.

Resolve & Document

Reach a settlement, judgment, or other enforceable resolution.

Rights, remedies, and procedure.

What is the difference between a holdover and nonpayment case?

A nonpayment case generally concerns unpaid rent, while a holdover proceeding generally concerns possession based on a reason other than simple nonpayment.

Can a landlord change the locks without court process?

Changing the locks to remove a tenant without the required court process is an illegal lockout. The rights and remedies available depend on the facts and applicable New York law.

Can tenants challenge unsafe or uninhabitable conditions?

Yes. Conditions affecting habitability are a recognized basis for a tenant claim, and can bear on a landlord's own proceeding as well.

Does the firm represent both landlords and tenants?

Yes, though never both sides of the same dispute.

Christopher W. Zeh, Esq. of Zeh & Associates, P.C.
Counsel / Zeh & Associates

Christopher W. Zeh, Esq.

Principal Attorney

Chris founded the firm in 2013 and leads its trust and estate practice, handling estate and probate litigation when a plan is contested.

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Client Perspective

“I was struggling with my tenant and 4 months of rent along with obligated bills totalling 15k+. Chris and his team have been extremely helpful, responsive and true support.”

Borhan Ahmed · Client
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Clarity starts with understanding the situation.

Speak with Zeh & Associates about the facts, the decisions in front of you, and the legal path that may make sense from here.