1. The Requested Remedy Determines the Filing Court
Ownership, eviction, and municipal-review claims follow different procedures. CPLR § 507 generally sets venue where the property lies; it does not determine subject-matter jurisdiction.
Supreme Court Handles Ownership and Injunction Claims
Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola hears title, partition, and injunction claims. RPAPL § 1501 allows qualifying claimants to resolve adverse property claims. RPAPL § 901 permits eligible co-owners to seek partition, or sale if division would substantially prejudice their interests. A partition claim concerns co-ownership interests, not a tenant's right to remain.
A buyer seeking specific performance may also file there. Available real estate litigation remedies depend on asserted rights and contract terms.
District Court Handles Many Landlord-Tenant Proceedings
Nassau County District Court in Hempstead generally hears RPAPL Article 7 proceedings. Nonpayment cases concern rent; holdover cases concern the right to remain. Glen Cove and Long Beach City Courts may hear cases involving property in those cities.
Notices and service requirements differ. RPAPL § 768 prohibits certain lockouts and service interruptions. Tenants should retain notices, payment records, and court papers. A petition must identify the grounds for possession, which may differ from a dispute over charges.
2. Property Records Help Establish the Disputed Rights
Deeds, contracts, and surveys address different claims. Before filing, compare dates, signatures, and property descriptions to identify the disputed right.
County Clerk Records Identify Potential Title Conflicts
The Nassau County Clerk maintains deeds, mortgages, and related records. Search by section, block, and lot; compare current and prior deeds, encumbrances, and any title report.
Recording may affect notice and priority but does not prove validity. Deed recording disputes may hinge on execution, filing history, and competing interests. Retain complete records. A recorded mortgage satisfaction or a difference between grantor names can help explain the title conflict.
Contracts and Surveys Support Different Claims
For a failed sale, examine the purchase agreement, amendments, deposit receipts, title objections, and closing correspondence. These help assess repayment, damages, or specific performance. Closing deadlines, notice clauses, and financing contingencies may affect whether a breach occurred.
For boundary disputes, compare deeds, easements, surveys, photographs, and correspondence. Tax maps may not establish legal boundaries, and informal access arrangements may not create enforceable easements.
3. Filing Requirements and Temporary Relief Follow Separate Rules
Filing and service rules depend on the claim. Temporary relief requires a separate legal showing; commencing a case is not enough.
Supreme Court Generally Requires Electronic Filing
Since July 7, 2025, new Nassau County Supreme Court matters generally require electronic commencement through NYSCEF. Self-represented litigants are exempt from mandatory electronic filing.
Civil actions typically begin with a summons and complaint; Article 78 uses a petition. NYSCEF filing does not replace service. Review current court and judicial part rules. Keep filing receipts and affidavits of service because filing and giving legal notice are separate steps.
Notices of Pendency and Injunctions Serve Different Purposes
CPLR § 6501 permits a notice of pendency for qualifying title, encumbrance, possession, or use claims, excluding summary possession proceedings. Proper filing gives notice to later purchasers or lenders but does not establish title or block a sale.
CPLR § 6301 governs preliminary injunctions. Section 6313 addresses temporary restraining orders where immediate and irreparable injury threatens before a hearing. Both require a separate showing. A notice of pendency is not a substitute for an injunction and cannot be used merely to collect an unrelated debt.
Article 7-a Provides a Separate Tenant Remedy
Under RPAPL Article 7-A, at least one-third of tenants occupying a qualifying dwelling may petition over specified hazards, including lack of heat or water. Additional statutory conditions apply.
In Nassau County, § 769 places these cases in District Court. Under § 776, a court may direct rent to an administrator for repairs. Unlike ordinary landlord-tenant law proceedings, Article 7-A does not itself authorize tenants to redirect rent without court approval. Dated photographs, inspection reports, and written complaints may help document the conditions.
4. Zoning Disputes Require Review of Municipal Decisions
Permit denials and variance decisions depend on municipal records and specific review rules. Deadlines may differ from ordinary private property litigation.
Municipal Jurisdiction Determines the Applicable Rules
Identify whether the parcel falls within Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, a village, or a city. Obtain the issuing agency's plans, hearing record, and decision. A mailing address does not necessarily identify the government that controls zoning.
A variance denial concerns zoning standards; an easement dispute concerns private rights. Relevant real estate regulation informs permits, but the challenged decision controls the review issues.
Article 78 Deadlines Depend on the Governing Statute
CPLR Article 78 allows review of certain government decisions for legal error or arbitrary action under § 7803. CPLR § 217 generally allows four months after a final, binding decision unless another statute shortens the period.
Town Law § 267-c and Village Law § 7-712-c set a 30-day period for specified zoning board decisions after filing with the clerk. Verify the filing date; informal discussions do not automatically extend the deadline. A preliminary response and a final, filed decision can trigger different procedural consequences.
Federal Housing Claims Require Independent Grounds
Title and contract disputes generally arise under state law. The federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604) and New York Executive Law § 296 provide separate housing-discrimination protections.
An adverse leasing or zoning decision alone does not establish discrimination. A claim requires facts connecting the conduct to a protected ground and an available enforcement route. Federal and state complaint options may differ in scope and deadlines.
23 Oct, 2026
