N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 8, ch. 1 § 8-125
Enforcement (New York City Human Rights Law)
Operative Text
a. Any action or proceeding that may be appropriate or necessary for the enforcement of any order issued by the commission pursuant to this chapter, including actions to secure permanent injunctions enjoining any acts or practices which constitute a violation of any such order, mandating compliance with the provisions of any such order, imposing penalties pursuant to section 8-124 of this chapter, or for such other relief as may be appropriate, may be initiated in any court of competent jurisdiction on behalf of the commission. In any such action or proceeding, application may be made for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, enforcing and restraining all persons from violating any provisions of any such order, or for such other relief as may be just and proper, until hearing and determination of such action or proceeding and the entry of final judgment or order thereon. The court to which such application is made may make any or all of the orders specified, as may be required in such application, with or without notice, and may make such other or further orders or directions as may be necessary to render the same effectual. b. In any action or proceeding brought pursuant to subdivision a of this section, no person shall be entitled to contest the terms of the order sought to be enforced unless that person has timely commenced a proceeding for review of the order pursuant to section 8-123 of this chapter. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/039 .
Section 8-125 of the N.Y.C. Admin. Code establishes the mechanism by which the New York City Commission on Human Rights can take its enforcement orders to court. When the Commission issues an order under Chapter 8, it may seek judicial remedies in any court of competent jurisdiction, including permanent injunctions, compliance mandates, and penalties authorized under § 8-124. Courts handling these actions are empowered to issue temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions to halt ongoing violations while a case is pending. Importantly, once an enforcement action is filed, a party generally cannot challenge the underlying order in that proceeding unless they previously sought review under § 8-123.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-125, property owners and managers who have received a Commission order should be aware that the Commission has broad authority to pursue court enforcement of that order, including seeking emergency injunctive relief without prior notice. Operators who wish to contest the terms of a Commission order are generally expected to do so through the review process outlined in § 8-123 before any court enforcement action is initiated. Compliant operators typically respond promptly to Commission orders and engage with the administrative review process rather than waiting for judicial enforcement proceedings to begin.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-125 gives tenants and other complainants the assurance that Commission orders issued on their behalf can be enforced in court, including through emergency measures like temporary restraining orders that can stop discriminatory practices quickly. If a landlord fails to comply with a Commission order, the enforcement mechanism under § 8-125 allows the Commission to seek judicial remedies, including penalties under § 8-124, on behalf of affected parties. Tenants navigating this process may find it helpful to contact the New York City Commission on Human Rights directly or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand how the Commission's enforcement authority may apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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