Open violations can slow down a rental, a sale, or a refinance, and some carry daily fines. Here’s how to look up any New York City building’s record for free, and what the results mean.
Where to search
- HPD Online (NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development): housing maintenance violations, tenant complaints, and the building’s registration. Search by address.
- NYC Department of Buildings (DOB): construction and building-code violations, permits, complaints, and the certificate of occupancy, through DOB NOW and the DOB’s Building Information Search.
- OATH hearings: summonses and penalties issued by city agencies, including unpaid fines.
- NYC 311: the history of complaints made about an address.
Understanding HPD violation classes
| Class | What it means | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | Non-hazardous | Minor leaks, chipped paint (not lead), missing signage |
| B | Hazardous | Broken door locks, mice or roaches, faulty fixtures |
| C | Immediately hazardous | No heat or hot water, lead paint hazards, missing window guards, blocked exits |
Each class has a deadline to correct and certify the repair, and Class C deadlines are the shortest. The violation stays open on the record until the owner certifies the correction and HPD accepts it, even if the repair was already made.
Tips for landlords
- Register the building. Owners of buildings with three or more units must register with HPD every year.
- Clear old violations. Fixed but uncertified violations still show up and can worry tenants, lenders, and buyers.
- Check before you list or buy. We review a building’s record as part of pricing and preparing a unit for market.
In Westchester County
Westchester doesn’t have a single countywide database. Building records and code violations are kept by each city, town, or village building department, so contact the local building department for the property’s address.
Want us to pull a building’s record for you? Contact us.