N.Y. Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law § 1517: Answer

§ 1517. Answer. The defendant may, in his answer, deny any material

allegation of the complaint controverted by him, or any knowledge or

information thereof sufficient to form a belief, or may set forth facts

constituting a defense; and thereupon he may demand judgment dismissing

the complaint. He may also set forth facts as a counterclaim for the

same cause of action; or the defendant may set forth facts showing that

he has an estate or interest in said property; and thereupon he may

demand any judgment to which he would be entitled in an action brought

by him to recover that estate or to enforce in any manner the interest

which he asserts in such property; or he may combine any two or more of

said demands.