The citywide effort to spread word on the city’s Right to Counsel (RTC) law continued at Monroe College on April 12 by a coalition pushing for greater awareness of the law.

The Right to Counsel NYC Coalition (RTCNYC) brought a cadre of lawyers and activists under one roof for the town hall, warning residents of the unscrupulous methods some landlords employ to evict tenants. The Right to Counsel law was enacted last year, offering low-income New Yorkers legal representation in the ever chaotic housing court.

Tenants attending housing court because of a nonpayment notice or those being sued by landlords must show up to court, where non-profit legal aid attorneys hired by the city are available for legal counsel.

Those eligible for RTC in the Bronx must:

• Live within Bronx zip codes 10457, 10467, and 10468
• Earn under $24,000 annually for individuals, and under $50,000 for four-person families
• Have received an eviction notice or are being sued by their landlord

The median individual annual income in Norwood is under $22,000, making most local residents eligible for legal counsel under RTC.

The passage of RTC was a major win for housing rights advocates and low-income tenants. At the town hall, RTCNYC stressed how important it is for low-income tenants to seek legal counsel, especially when up against landlords who can afford to have seasoned lawyers backing them.

Among the tips advocates also gave tenants is holding off on signing any document they’re presented with in court without legal representation.

Being without legal representation could increase one’s chances of getting a judgment filed against them in housing court, which can negatively impact credit reports, making it difficult to apply for a loan or get an apartment.

New York City is the first in the country to offer right to counsel to low-income tenants in housing court. While currently only available to select zip codes within the five boroughs, RTC is set to be implemented citywide by 2020.

The RTCNYC Coalition also offers consultation to tenants being harassed by landlords, or those with home repair issues.

Editor’s Note: Bronx residents can call (929) 252-7681 to find out if they’re eligible for counsel. They can also visit www.evictionfreenyc.org for more information.