The TDSHA Repository is a statewide legal archive managed by the Tenants Advocacy Program. It documents court decisions where tenants secured victories using the Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act (TDSHA) — a landmark law aimed at strengthening renters’ rights and enforcing safe living conditions.
Passed by the New York State Legislature, the Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act gives tenants the right to bring special legal proceedings against landlords when their housing violates local or state safety codes or habitability laws.
Under TDSHA, tenants can:
This law simplifies the legal process for tenants, helping them assert their rights without needing to file full civil lawsuits.
The TDSHA Repository serves as:
Each case entry includes a summary of the ruling, relevant legal language used by the judge, and, where available, copies of the decision or order.
Knight & Crandall v. NOB Trust & Gilbert
A recent ruling from Danby Town Court reinforced tenants’ rights under the Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act (TDSHA). The court ordered repairs and awarded over $5,800 in rent abatement, excess utility costs, and punitive damages. The decision cited violations of state habitability laws and local housing codes. This case is archived in the TDSHA Repository to serve as a reference for future advocacy and legal action.
Katelyn Crandall and Quinn Knight were some of the first tenants in New York state to take advantage of a new law making it easier for tenants to seek redress for habitability violations. Photo by Aaron Fernando
When the boiler of this house failed right before winter 2023, it set up an early test of a new tenant protection in New York state. Photo by Aaron Fernando
Katelyn Crandall and Quinn Knight endured nearly five months without heat after their boiler was damaged, forcing them to rely on costly space heaters and firewood while struggling to keep their pets safe. Their landlord delayed repairs, offered unreasonable options like moving out, and eventually stopped communicating, leading to high energy bills, financial strain, and unsafe living conditions before they used the Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act to take legal action
