Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants

The recently established office offers information on topics such as:

They also host a Tenant Resource Portal featuring an Eviction Prevention Tool to help renters navigate public and private resources that can stabilize their housing situation. A tenant seeking help will be taken through a series of questions and directed to the most useful resources based on their responses.

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HCR Fact Sheets

The New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the state agency responsible for administering the rent regulation laws, publishes Fact Sheets that describe the major elements of rent control and rent stabilization in New York City and elsewhere in New York State.

The current version of each fact sheet is on HCR’s Fact Sheets webpage. For additional information, contact HCR.

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Building Codes

  • NYC Construction Codes consist of the General Administrative Provisions, Building Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, and Energy Conservation Code, and are available at NYC Department of Buildings.
  • The NYC Housing Maintenance Code, as well as other residential safety codes, including the Fire Code and the Multiple Dwelling Law, are available at NYC Department of Buildings.
  • Related information on various Maintenance Requirements in residential properties can be found at NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development. Topics include Gas Leaks; Heat and Hot Water; Mold, Pests, Lead-Based Paint; Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors; Window Guards; and more.

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Seniors

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Disabled

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Health & Safety

The NYC Department of Health offers information on a wide variety of topics at Healthy Indoors including:

  • Lead Poisoning Prevention
  • Smoking Laws & Smoke-Free Housing
  • Window Guards/Window Falls Prevention
  • Pesticides
  • Noise
  • Indoor Air Quality

The Dept. of Health also offers information at Healthy Homes on topics including:

  • Asthma
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Domestic Violence
  • Heat Illness and Heat Waves
  • Pests and Pesticide Information
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Mold Prevention
  • Poison Proofing
  • Preventing Injuries among children and seniors

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Pets

Learn about the rules and regulations of keeping pets in New York City apartments:

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Rights and Responsibilities (Tenants & Owners)

The NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) offers The ABC’s of Housing, a comprehensive guide to housing rules and regulations for owners and tenants, as well as a Tenant Rights FAQs (near bottom of page).

Renters and landlords of residential buildings in the City have rights and responsibilities to maintain residential property. HPD enforces the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law and the New York City Housing Maintenance Code. Some of the issues covered in the guide include:

  • Heat and Hot Water
  • Lead-Based Paint
  • Window guards
  • Locks
  • Pests (including Bedbugs)
  • Gas Leaks
  • Stove Knob Covers
  • Elevators
  • Illegal Basement and Cellar Occupancy
  • Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
  • Mold
  • Rent Regulation
  • Foreclosure
  • Housing Lotteries
  • Rent Increase Exemption Programs
  • Complaints, Violations and Enforcement
  • Discrimination
  • Harassment
  • Legal Assistance
  • Housing Court
  • Eviction
  • Emergency Planning and Evacuations
  • Foreclosure
  • Pets
  • Tenant Associations
  • Rent Increases and Lease Renewals
  • Certificate of Occupancy and Paying Rent
  • Building Safety

The NYS Attorney General also offers information on tenants’ rights on their website (near bottom of page), including a summary of changes to the rent laws in 2019.

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