Emergency Contacts and NYC Housing Hotlines
When you’re renting in New York City, knowing who to call during an emergency can make all the difference. At Sanchez Brokerage LLC, we believe tenants should always feel safe, informed, and prepared—especially when urgent issues arise. This page provides a curated list of NYC emergency contacts, housing hotlines, and legal resources to help you act quickly and confidently. This page covers a variety of potential issues and emergencies. For small matters, it is generally best to call your landlord and landlord contact person before some of these hotlines.
🏢 Landlord or Property Management Contact
Tenants should always first attempt to reach:
- Building management
- Superintendent
- Landlord
- Emergency repair line (if provided)
These numbers and contacts will be available in your lease or given upon lease signing.
🔥 Immediate Emergencies (Call 911)
For any life-threatening or urgent emergency, always call 911 first. This includes:
- Fire or smoke
- Gas leaks or strong gas smell
- Break-ins or security threats
- Medical emergencies
- Active flooding with electrical hazard
- Dangerous building conditions
911 is the fastest way to reach police, fire, and medical services.
⚡ Utility Emergencies
Con Edison Emergency Line
If you suspect a gas leak, power outage, or electrical hazard:
📞 1-800-752-6633
🌐 coned.com
National Grid Gas Emergency Line
For gas leaks or gas-related issues (Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island):
📞 1-718-643-4050
DEP (NYC Water) – Water or Sewer Emergencies
📞 311 or
🌐 nyc.gov/dep
Call if you’re experiencing:
- No running water
- Major leaks or pipe breaks
- Sewage backup
❄️ Heat, Hot Water & Building Maintenance Emergencies
New York City’s housing laws require landlords to provide adequate heat and hot water. If your building is not complying:
NYC Heat & Hot Water Complaints (HPD)
📞 311
🌐 HPD Online – Complaint Portal
Use this for:
- No heat during heat season
- No hot water
- Broken boilers
- Building-wide issues
🛠️ General Building Issues
Non-Emergency Housing Complaints
📞 311
Request “HPD Inspection” for:
- Mold
- Pest infestations
- Broken locks
- Unsafe stairwells
- Carbon monoxide or smoke detector issues
Illegal Construction or Unsafe Conditions
Department of Buildings (DOB)
📞 311
🌐 NYC DOB – DOB NOW
Report:
- Illegal renovations
- Unsafe scaffolding
- Structural hazards
💧 Flooding, Sewage, Water Damage
NYC DEP – Water & Sewer Emergencies
📞 311
Use for:
- Sewer backups
- Burst pipes
- Street flooding
- Water contamination concerns
🧑⚖️ Tenant Legal Aid & Housing Court Support
NYC Tenant Helpline
📞 311 → Ask for “Tenant Helpline”
Provides free information about tenant rights.
NYC Housing Court Information Line
📞 1-833-503-0447
Legal Aid Society – Housing Help
📞 1-888-663-6880
🌐 legalaidnyc.org
NYC Human Rights Law – Housing Discrimination
📞 212-416-0197
Report discrimination based on income, race, disability, family status, etc.
💵 Rental Assistance & Eviction Prevention
HRA One Shot Deal
For emergency rental help:
📞 718-557-1399
🌐 access HRA portal
Homebase Prevention Services
For tenants at risk of eviction:
📞 311 → Ask for “Homebase”
🧹 Pest Control, Sanitation & Environmental Health
NYC Department of Health – Pest Complaints
📞 311
For rats, mice, roaches, bed bugs.
Sanitation Department (DSNY)
📞 311
For missed pickups, bulky item removal, sanitation issues.
🧭 How Sanchez Brokerage LLC Supports Tenants
While we do not handle repairs directly, we help tenants:
- Identify the right hotline or agency
- Understand when to call 311 vs. management
- Navigate HPD complaints
- Document issues for faster resolution
- Understand their rights during emergencies
We’re here to guide you every step of the way.