NCB is not a contractor or repair service. This page is general educational information for Buffalo homeowners. Costs and conditions vary. Not legal or financial advice. (716) 557-7005
Tenant Not Paying Rent
Buffalo Landlord Options
A non-paying tenant in a Buffalo rental property puts you in a difficult position. New York State tenant protections are among the strongest in the country, and Buffalo City Court evictions take time — time during which the property generates no income and the bills keep coming.
Buffalo City Court evictions under New York RPAPL Section 711 take a minimum of 3-6 months from first missed payment to actual possession — assuming no contested proceedings or delays. The process: serve a 14-day notice to pay or quit (nonpayment), file a summary proceeding in Buffalo City Court at 50 Delaware Ave, obtain a judgment, apply for a warrant of eviction, wait for the marshal to execute. A contested case extends this significantly.
Cash-for-keys: offer the tenant a negotiated payment to vacate voluntarily — typically $500-$2,000 in Buffalo depending on situation. Often faster and cheaper than eviction. Eviction: proceed through Buffalo City Court — $300-$500 in filing fees plus attorney costs, 3-6+ months. Sell the property: NCB buys Buffalo rental properties with non-paying tenants in place — you do not evict, you do not negotiate, you close. NCB takes over the tenant situation after purchase.
NCB has purchased Buffalo rental properties with active non-payment situations, pending evictions, and difficult tenant histories. We buy as-is, tenants in place, with full knowledge of the situation. You receive cash at closing. We assume all responsibility for the tenant relationship and the eviction process if necessary. The eviction that would have taken you 6 months and $3,000 becomes our responsibility the day after closing. Cash offer in 24 hours.
How long does a Buffalo eviction take in New York?
A non-payment eviction in Buffalo City Court takes a minimum of 3-6 months under ideal circumstances — no adjournments, no contested proceedings. From first missed payment: 14-day notice, filing in Buffalo City Court (50 Delaware Ave), judgment, warrant of eviction, marshal execution. Contested cases or appeals extend this timeline significantly.
Can I sell my Buffalo rental property with a non-paying tenant?
Yes. NCB buys Buffalo rental properties with non-paying tenants in place — no eviction required from you. We buy as-is, tenant and all, and take over the situation after closing. Cash offer in 24 hours. Call (716) 557-7005.
What is cash-for-keys in Buffalo and does it work?
Cash-for-keys is a negotiated voluntary move-out — you pay the tenant a lump sum ($500-$2,000 typically in Buffalo) in exchange for vacating by a specific date. It avoids the court process and is often faster and cheaper than eviction when tenants are willing. NCB can also discuss this approach with tenants after purchase, removing the burden from you entirely.
What is the Erie County Landlord-Tenant HUB Court?
The Erie County Landlord-Tenant HUB Court consolidates non-payment and holdover eviction cases from Erie County town and village courts into a centralized virtual court operating through Buffalo City Court. Petitions filed in town courts (like Cheektowaga, Amherst, or Hamburg) are transferred to the HUB Court. Court attorneys first attempt alternative dispute resolution — most cases are resolved at this stage by stipulation. If no agreement is reached, a hearing is scheduled before a hearing officer or judge. Landlords contact their local court for the initial filing, then the HUB Court takes over.
Can a Buffalo landlord lock out a non-paying tenant without going to court?
No. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — is illegal in New York regardless of how far behind on rent the tenant is. Landlords who attempt self-help eviction face civil liability for triple damages under Real Property Law. The only legal path is through Buffalo City Court or the Erie County Landlord-Tenant HUB Court. If you are at this point and want to exit the landlord business entirely, NCB buys Buffalo rental properties with non-paying tenants in place — no eviction required from you.
Areas We Serve
NCB purchases homes across all of Buffalo and Western New York — any condition, any situation.
If your tenant isn’t paying rent in Buffalo, here are your options. Buffalo City Court eviction timeline, cash-for-keys, and selling with tenants in place. Nickel City Buyers, LLC · 3842 Harlem Rd STE 400-339, Cheektowaga, NY 14215 · (716) 557-7005. A+ BBB · 300+ homes since 2013. Serving 14206,14211,14208 and all of Erie and Niagara County NY.
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a Buffalo Landlord?
NCB buys with tenants in place — non-paying, difficult, or otherwise. No eviction required. Cash offer in 24 hours.