Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Rochester City Court — landlord-tenant, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Rochester the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Rochester City Court — landlord-tenant is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. New York State law is the book. Rochester City Court and 311 are the local doors — not NYC HPD.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. City of Rochester 311 is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
Is Rochester the same as the rest of New York for renters?
New York State law is the book. Rochester City Court and 311 are the local doors — not NYC HPD. Rochester City Court — landlord-tenant hears possession cases. Dial 311 for City services. Do not import another city’s ordinance.
The Rochester layer
New York State law is the book. Rochester City Court and 311 are the local doors — not NYC HPD.
New York landlord-tenant and summary-proceeding statutes (N.Y. Real Prop. Law Art. 7; Real Prop. Acts. and Proc. Law) is the New York floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Rochester questions
Can my landlord in Rochester evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Rochester City Court — landlord-tenant is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Rochester?
That number is in New York landlord-tenant and summary-proceeding statutes, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Is Rochester the same as the rest of New York for renters?
New York State law is the book. Rochester City Court and 311 are the local doors — not NYC HPD. Rochester City Court — landlord-tenant hears possession cases. Dial 311 for City services. Do not import another city’s ordinance.
What number should I call in Rochester?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. City of Rochester 311 does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org