N.Y. Uniform District Court Act § 1801: Small claims defined

§ 1801. Small claims defined.

The term "small claim" or "small claims" as used in this act shall

mean and include any cause of action for money only not in excess of

five thousand dollars exclusive of interest and costs, or any action

commenced by a party aggrieved by an arbitration award rendered pursuant

to part one hundred thirty-seven of the rules of the chief administrator

of the courts (22 NYCRR Part 137) in which the amount in dispute does

not exceed five thousand dollars, provided that the defendant either

resides, or has an office for the transaction of business or a regular

employment within a district of the court in the county, or where the

claimant is or was a tenant or lessee of real property owned by the

defendant and the claim relates to such tenancy or lease, and such real

property is situated within a district of the court in the county.