The nyc mold law is Local Law 55 of 2018. Your landlord must keep your apartment free of mold and pests, and must fix whatever is causing them, like a leak. If you have a letter or violation notice that cites the nyc mold law, the key number is 10 square feet: at 10 square feet of mold or more in a room, the rules get stricter and the violation gets more serious.
What NYC Mold Law Actually Says
Local Law 55 is often called the Asthma-Free Housing Act. Its goal is simple. Mold and pests trigger asthma, so the city made owners responsible for preventing them. The nyc mold law treats these as “indoor allergen hazards.”
The law covers more than visible mold on a wall. HPD’s rules define an indoor mold hazard as mold growth on any indoor surface, building structure, or ventilation system. That includes mold hidden inside wall cavities. As a result, painting over mold does not make it go away under the law.
The nyc mold law also sets safe work practices. These are in Section 27-2017.9 of the NYC Administrative Code and in 28 Rules of the City of New York section 54-04. They control how mold is cleaned so it does not spread through your home.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Who must comply | Owners of buildings with 3 or more apartments | Local Law 55 of 2018 |
| Annual inspection | Owner inspects every unit for mold and pests once a year | Local Law 55 of 2018 |
| Safe mold work practices | Required when fixing mold and its underlying cause | Admin. Code § 27-2017.9; 28 RCNY § 54-04 |
| Licensed professionals | Required in buildings with 10+ units when mold is more than 10 sq ft | Confirm exact citation with HPD |
| Class A mold violation | Less than 10 sq ft of visible mold per room | HPD violation rules |
| Class B or C mold violation | 10 sq ft or more of visible mold per room | HPD violation rules |
| Class C correction deadline | 21 days to correct | HPD violation rules |
Who NYC Mold Law Covers (and Who It Does Not)
In most cases, the nyc mold law protects you if you rent in a building with three or more apartments. That covers most apartment buildings in the five boroughs. You do not need to have asthma to be protected. However, the law exists because mold and pests can make asthma much worse.
The 10-unit line matters too. Typically, in buildings with 10 or more units, big mold jobs must go to licensed professionals. For example, a tenant in a 40-unit building with a moldy bathroom ceiling larger than 10 square feet should see a licensed assessor and a separate licensed remediator. New York State law bars the same worker from doing both jobs.
If you rent in a one- or two-family home, the nyc mold law’s owner duties may not apply the same way. Other repair rules may still protect you. Check with HPD or a local legal-aid office to confirm your rights.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
The nyc mold law puts the work on your landlord, not you. Your landlord must:
- Inspect your apartment for mold, mice, roaches, and rats every year.
- Respond to complaints from you or from HPD.
- Fix the cause of the mold, such as a leak or excess moisture.
- Clean vacant apartments and clear them of mold and pests before a new tenant moves in.
- Give you a fact sheet and a notice with your lease explaining the owner’s duties.
- Use Integrated Pest Management for pests, with pesticides applied only by a state-licensed pro.
For small mold jobs, under 10 square feet per room, the owner or building staff can do the work. However, they must still follow the safe work practices. For larger jobs in buildings with 10 or more units, licensed professionals must do it. They also file paperwork with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection.
Violations can also get worse. Under the nyc mold law, an uncorrected Class A violation can be upgraded to Class B. An uncorrected Class B violation can be upgraded to Class C after HPD re-inspects.
What You Can Do When NYC Mold Law Is Broken
Start by telling your landlord in writing. Describe the mold, where it is, and any leak you see. Take dated photos. Keep copies of everything. As a result, you will have a clear record if things drag on.
If your landlord does not fix it, or the repair is done unsafely, call 311 or file a complaint online through NYC HPD. An inspector can come out and issue a violation under the nyc mold law. HPD notifies both the owner and the tenant when a mold or pest violation is issued. During inspections, HPD also asks tenants about mold, mice, roaches, and rats.
You can learn more on HPD’s indoor allergen hazards page. If the mold is making someone sick, or your landlord is threatening eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. Many tenants may be able to take the owner to Housing Court for repairs. A lawyer can tell you what fits your case.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord just paint over the mold?
No. The nyc mold law requires the owner to fix the underlying cause, like a leak. Mold hidden inside walls can still count as a hazard.
Do I need to have asthma to use this law?
No. The nyc mold law protects every tenant in covered buildings with three or more apartments. Asthma is the reason the law exists, but it is not a requirement.
My landlord says the violation was fixed, but the mold is back. What now?
Call 311 again and ask for a re-inspection. If a violation was falsely certified as corrected, it can be upgraded. Keep your photos and dates.
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
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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.