Small claims defined

§ 1801. Small claims defined.\n The term "small claim" or "small claims" as used in this act shall\nmean and include any cause of action for money only not in excess of\nfive thousand dollars exclusive of interest and costs, or any action\ncommenced by a party aggrieved by an arbitration award rendered pursuant\nto part one hundred thirty-seven of the rules of the chief administrator\nof the courts (22 NYCRR Part 137) in which the amount in dispute does\nnot exceed five thousand dollars, provided that the defendant either\nresides, or has an office for the transaction of business or a regular\nemployment within a district of the court in the county, or where the\nclaimant is or was a tenant or lessee of real property owned by the\ndefendant and the claim relates to such tenancy or lease, and such real\nproperty is situated within a district of the court in the county.\n