NY S00441

Expands small claims court jurisdiction to include cases where the claimant is or was a tenant or lessee of real property owned by the defendant and the claim relates to that tenancy or lease, provided the property is located in the appropriate geographic area.

Allows notice of small claims to be sent to landlords at any place in the county (or adjoining county for certain courts) where a tenant may mail or deliver rent and at the real property itself, when notice cannot be sent under standard residence or employment address rules.

Applies these jurisdictional and notice changes uniformly across four court systems: the Uniform City Court Act, Uniform District Court Act, Uniform Justice Court Act, and New York City Civil Court Act.

Maintains existing small claims monetary limits: $5,000 for city, district, and NYC civil courts; $3,000 for justice courts, with existing filing fees unchanged.

Takes effect September 1 following the date the bill becomes law, with conditional effective date provisions if related 2010 legislation has not yet taken effect.