nyc hpd violation lookup is the free way to see what the city has already found wrong in your building, and it shows how long your landlord has to fix it. If a letter or notice cited a violation, a nyc hpd violation lookup tells you its class and deadline, and the shortest one is 24 hours for most Class C “immediately hazardous” problems.
What NYC HPD Violation Lookup Actually Says
This is not one statute. It is a public record kept by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Inspectors write violations under the city’s Housing Maintenance Code. HPD then posts them on HPD Online. A nyc hpd violation lookup lets you read that record yourself, for free.
Each result can show complaints, violations, litigation, property registration, and charges. The most important part is the violation class. The class tells you how dangerous HPD thinks the condition is. As a result, it also tells you how fast the landlord must fix it. For example, a leak and a heat outage get very different deadlines.
Here are the correction periods HPD publishes on its Clear Violations page. Read them next to your nyc hpd violation lookup results.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Class A (non-hazardous) | 90 days from the date the violation was mailed | NYC Housing Maintenance Code, per HPD |
| Class B (hazardous) | 30 days from the date of mailing | NYC Housing Maintenance Code, per HPD |
| Class C heat or hot water | Immediately | NYC Housing Maintenance Code, per HPD |
| Class C lead-based paint | 21 days | NYC Housing Maintenance Code, per HPD |
| Class C window guards, mold, mice/cockroaches, rats | 21 days | NYC Housing Maintenance Code, per HPD |
| Class C self-closing door | 14 days | NYC Housing Maintenance Code, per HPD |
| Class C (all other types) | 24 hours | NYC Housing Maintenance Code, per HPD |
HPD’s pages give these deadlines but not the exact code section numbers. If you need a section number for a court paper, confirm it with HPD or a legal-aid office.
Who NYC HPD Violation Lookup Covers (and Who It Does Not)
A nyc hpd violation lookup covers residential buildings in the five boroughs. That includes rent-stabilized, market-rate, and many other rentals. In most cases, the bigger the building, the more records you will see. That is because HPD requires every multiple dwelling to register each year. A multiple dwelling is a building with three or more residential units.
However, a clean record does not always mean a safe building. HPD only lists what someone reported and an inspector saw. If no one complained, nothing shows up. Also, a small one- or two-family home has no yearly registration to show. As a result, a nyc hpd violation lookup may be thin for those homes.
Other city agencies keep their own records. For example, elevator or structural problems may be handled by a different office. If a problem is missing, check with HPD about which agency handles it. A nyc hpd violation lookup is the best first step, but it is not the only record.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
Your landlord must fix each violation within its class deadline. Then the landlord must certify the fix to HPD. Only registered owners can certify. Many use HPD’s online eCertification system. However, lead violations cannot be certified through eCertification.
Certifying a fix that was never made is serious. HPD’s own forms warn: “FALSE CERTIFICATION IS A CRIME!” The Housing Maintenance Code allows a fine of up to $1,000, jail for up to a year, or both, for a willful false statement. HPD can also put the violation in False Certification status. The owner may then face civil penalties and be placed on the Certification Watchlist.
So watch your nyc hpd violation lookup after a repair is “certified.” If the status changes but your apartment is still broken, tell HPD right away.
What You Can Do When It Is Broken
First, report any condition that is not on the record. You can use HPD’s Report a Quality or Safety Issue page. Typically, a complaint leads to an inspection. If the inspector confirms the problem, a new violation appears in your nyc hpd violation lookup.
Second, you can go to Housing Court. A tenant can start an HP action to make the landlord do repairs. You list every condition in each room and in public areas. The court clerk gives you the forms. If the judge believes it is an emergency, you get a hearing date within about one week. Read the court’s guide on starting an HP proceeding.
Bring a printout of your nyc hpd violation lookup to court. It shows the judge what the city already found. It also shows how long the problem has been open. In most cases, that record makes your case much stronger.
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If you are facing an eviction, do not wait. Contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. Repair problems can sometimes be raised as a defense. A lawyer can tell you what may apply to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a nyc hpd violation lookup free, and do I need an account?
Searching HPD Online for a building’s record is free for the public. You can search by address, BIN, registration number, or borough/block/lot. Check the site for any account features you may need.
Can I check a building before I sign a lease?
Yes, and many tenants do. A nyc hpd violation lookup shows open violations, complaints, and litigation. For example, many open Class C violations may be a warning sign.
What if the violation shows “closed” but nothing was fixed?
Report the condition to HPD again so an inspector can return. A false certification can lead to civil penalties for the owner. You may also be able to start an HP action in Housing Court.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
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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.