Hello! I'm your AI assistant, Teny. Ask me about tenants' rights in upstate New York!
User Agreement
PURPOSE: I understand that Teny 2.0 is a tool powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that answers each question asked about the Tenants’ Rights Guide in a question-and-answer (Q&A) format. It is designed to help residential tenants in upstate New York learn their rights in a more digestible manner. A response can generally explain tenants’ rights, legal concepts and terminology, as well as standard procedures in landlord-tenant law. This information may not apply to tenants in New York City or Long Island. Unlike other AI tools, it is not conversational and cannot respond based on a question I asked previously.
SOURCE: I understand that this tool does not source from random unvetted information across the internet. All information provided is based solely on the Tenants’ Rights Guide, which is updated every academic semester by the Cornell Law School Tenants Advocacy Program. It was last updated in September 2025.
LIMITS OF AI: Responses are stored and reviewed by the Cornell Law School Tenants Advocacy Program for accuracy, but each individual response may not be immediately reviewed by an attorney. Some responses may be wrong and/or incomplete, so I agree to independently verify all responses. I will assume any risk of inaccuracy.
NO LEGAL ADVICE: I understand that the responses provided are for general informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice. This tool is not a real lawyer advising me. It does not replace a real lawyer, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Responses may not apply to my specific situation. I agree not to solicit legal advice from the tool. For specific legal advice, I will call the Cornell Law School Tenants Advocacy Program Hotline at 607-301-1560. If I am an Ithaca tenant in a legal emergency, I will call LawNY at (607) 273-3667.
PRIVACY: To protect my security, I will not share any confidential or personal identifiable information. The privacy policy is available here for more information.
Support the Tenants Advocacy Program, and help us defend housing rights and train the next generation of tenant advocates
Why Your Support Matters
Each year, the Tenants Advocacy Program (TAP) provides hands-on legal training to Cornell students while delivering critical legal support to low-income tenants in upstate New York. Students learn ethical advocacy, build real legal skills, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
To date, TAP has helped over 700 tenants and prevented more than 150 evictions — including for veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and people with disabilities. Your contribution helps us do even more.
Ways to Give
Make a one-time or recurring donation to support daily operations
Fund travel for court appearances, fact investigations, and community outreach
Support our students with stipends, fellowships, and externship scholarships
Help us grow: Endow the practicum or sponsor a teaching fellow
When donating, please name “Tenants Advocacy Program” as a recipient under Special Instructions.
“My baby son and I faced eviction in August 2020. TAP helped us fight the eviction and stay in our home and eventually, they helped us purchase the home we were almost evicted from. We will never forget this miracle!”
Velvet Nguyen-Tran, Former Client
Pictured with her son and William Niebel, TAP Managing Attorney
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss ways to support TAP or have questions about giving, please contact:
Lynne Haberstock B.S. ’88
Director of Annual Giving lth7@cornell.edu
Office: 607.255.2077
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