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

§ 1517. Answer. The defendant may, in his answer, deny any material\nallegation of the complaint controverted by him, or any knowledge or\ninformation thereof sufficient to form a belief, or may set forth facts\nconstituting a defense; and thereupon he may demand judgment dismissing\nthe complaint. He may also set forth facts as a counterclaim for the\nsame cause of action; or the defendant may set forth facts showing that\nhe has an estate or interest in said property; and thereupon he may\ndemand any judgment to which he would be entitled in an action brought\nby him to recover that estate or to enforce in any manner the interest\nwhich he asserts in such property; or he may combine any two or more of\nsaid demands.\n