Tenant's Rights - Buildings

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Know Your Rights
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Know Your Rights

Tenant Protection Plan

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Tenant's Rights

New York City is a city of renters. As a renter you have rights and responsibilities. Knowing your rights and responsibilities can help you maintain stable and safe housing. Your basic rights include living in a safe, well-maintained building that is free from vermin, leaks, hazardous conditions, and harassment.

Landlord Responsibilities

Landlords are responsible for ensuring the building is safe, clean and well maintained, in both common areas and in individual apartments; providing and maintaining security measures, heat, hot and cold water, and good lighting; and, complying with the NYC Housing Maintenance Code and New York State Multiple Dwelling Law.

If your landlord is withholding basic services, like heat or hot water, fails to make repairs, or your building is poorly maintained, please contact the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) by calling 311 or using 311 ONLINE.

In buildings with rent-controlled or rent-stabilized apartments, tenants with harassment complaints should also contact the NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) at (718) 739-6400. HCR enforces the State’s rent-regulated apartment housing laws.

Even during construction, your landlord must keep the building safe and maintain essential services. For construction in your building that involves a life-threatening situation, call 911. If the issue involves repairs or general maintenance, call 311.

If you have concerns about construction in your building you can file a complaint with OTA and contact DOB’s Office of the Tenant Advocate at (212) 393-2550 or email at TenantAdvocate@buildings.nyc.gov.