nyc bed bug law gives you the right to know whether your building has had bed bugs before you sign or renew a lease. Under nyc bed bug law, owners of buildings with 3 or more units must file a Bedbug Annual Report with the city between December 1 and December 31 every year.
What NYC Bed Bug Law Actually Says
If a letter or lease rider mentions Local Law 69 of 2017 or section 27-2018.1, it is about the bed bug report. Typically, it’s the owner asking you whether your unit had bed bugs in the past year. The owner needs this answer to fill out the yearly report. Answering honestly helps you and your neighbors.
The nyc bed bug law has two main parts. First, the owner has to try to get the bed bug history from each tenant or unit owner. That includes whether anything was done to get rid of them. Second, the owner has to file a report with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Owners must file even if the building has no bed bugs at all.
The report is short. However, it tells you a lot. It shows how many units had bed bugs and how many came back after treatment. As a result, nyc bed bug law gives you a real look at a building’s history. You can read the full text in Local Law 69 of 2017.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Which buildings | Residential buildings with 3 or more units | HMC 27-2018.1 |
| Filing window | December 1 to December 31, every year | Local Law 69 of 2017 |
| Period covered | November of the previous year through October of the current year | Local Law 69 of 2017 |
| What gets reported | 4 numbers: total units, units with bed bugs, units treated, units re-infested after treatment | HMC 27-2018.1 |
| Bed-bug-free buildings | Must still file | HMC 27-2018.1 |
| Tenant notice | Give filing receipt with each new lease and renewal, OR post it in a prominent spot | HMC 27-2018.1 |
| How to file | Online for corporate owners (LLCs, co-ops, condos, corporations); paper allowed only for individual or joint owners | HMC 27-2018.2 |
Who NYC Bed Bug Law Covers (and Who It Does Not)
The nyc bed bug law covers residential buildings in New York City with 3 or more units. That includes most apartment buildings. It also covers co-ops and condos, since the owner asks each tenant or unit owner for their history. In most cases, if you rent an apartment in a multi-unit building, this law protects you.
For example, a one-family or two-family house is not covered by the annual report rule. If you rent in a smaller building, ask your landlord directly about bed bug history. You still have the right to a home free of bed bugs under the city’s housing code. HPD can still inspect and cite bed bugs in any rental.
New York State law adds one more protection. According to HPD’s bed bug page, owners must give new tenants a Disclosure Form showing bed bug history for the past year. So nyc bed bug law and the state disclosure rule work together. One is a yearly report. The other is a one-year history given to you before you move in.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
Each year, your landlord must ask you about bed bugs in your unit. They must then file the four numbers with HPD. After filing, they get a receipt. Typically, they will either hand you that receipt with your lease or post it in the lobby or another common area.
Under nyc bed bug law, you should see the filing receipt at lease signing or renewal, or on a wall in your building. If you see neither, ask the owner for it in writing. Keep a copy of your request. However, filing a report is not the same as fixing a problem. Your landlord must also address bed bugs when you report them. Some owners assume paperwork alone meets nyc bed bug law. It does not.
What You Can Do When It Is Broken
First, tell your landlord about bed bugs in writing. Date it and keep a copy. Take photos of bugs, bites, or stains. If the owner does not fix it, file a complaint online or call 311. An HPD inspector may come out. If the inspector finds bed bugs, HPD issues a Notice of Violation ordering the owner to fix the condition.
If your building has no posted receipt and you never got one, you can also raise this with HPD. The exact fine amounts for missing reports and bed bug violations are not stated on HPD’s public bed bug page. Confirm current penalties with HPD or the text of HMC 27-2018.1. The nyc bed bug law was written so tenants can see the facts, so don’t be shy about asking.
Bed bugs can also affect your case if you are withholding rent or facing an eviction. For example, HPD violations on record may help show the condition was real. However, never stop paying rent without advice first. If you are in Housing Court or got court papers, contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. Many tenants can get free help through city-funded programs. Using nyc bed bug law records the right way can make a difference.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My landlord sent a letter asking about bed bugs. Do I have to answer?
The letter is part of nyc bed bug law. The owner must try to get your unit’s history for the yearly report. Answering honestly helps keep the building’s record accurate for you and future renters.
How can I check a building’s bed bug history before I sign?
Ask the owner for the state Disclosure Form, which shows the past one year of bed bug history. Also ask for the Bedbug Annual Report receipt. Under nyc bed bug law, it must come with your lease or be posted in the building.
What if my landlord treated the bed bugs but they came back?
Tell your landlord in writing again. Re-infestation after treatment is one of the four numbers owners must report. If the problem continues, call 311 so HPD can inspect.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.