It’s your landlord’s responsibility to make basic repairs to your apartment. For instance, your landlord must fix issues like:
- Peeling paint
- Leaks in the ceiling
- Broken sink, oven, or stove
- Roaches, mice or bedbugs
- Broken or non-closing windows
- No heat or hot water
In New York City, a landlord has 24 hours to fix “immediately hazardous” conditions, like heat or ovens or sinks that don’t work at all. They have 30 days to fix “hazardous conditions” like leaking ceilings or roaches. “Non-hazardous conditions” like peeling paint must be fixed within 90 days. View a full list of what problems a landlord is required to repair>
The first step is to make sure your landlord knows about the problem. In order to do that, write down a record of the problem, and then call 311 or ask your landlord in writing. Click on First Steps, above, for more information.
If you've done those things and the landlord still hasn't done the repairs you need, you can start a case in Housing Court. Click on Housing Court, above, for more.
Create a "Record" of the Problem
Write down a detailed description of the problem, like leaking water, broken oven, or lack of services like heat, hot water or gas. Take a picture if you can. You may be asked for this "record" of the problem if you meet with a lawyer or go to court.
You can keep a log of when you have no heat, hot water or cooking gas. Below is a form you may use to record heat and hot water information.
Keep track of your heat and hot water problems with this log
Call 311
311 helps connect you to city services. If you call 311 about a housing problem, and tell them about your issue, 311 will send your complaint to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). HPD enforces housing laws to keep housing in New York City safe.
See: Calling 311 about a Housing Quality Issue: A General Guide for Tenants on What to Expect
Ask Your Landlord In Writing
You can also send a letter to your landlord requesting repairs. Include a list of all the repairs needed and a reasonable date that you’d like the repairs completed by.
You may want to send this letter return receipt so that you have proof that your landlord received your letter.
Keep a copy and add this letter to your "record".
Taking Your Landlord to Court
If a long period of time has gone by and the landlord still hasn't done the repairs they are responsible for, you can sue your landlord in housing court to force them to make the repairs.
This is a special kind of case called an HP case or, more commonly, an HP Action.
Read "Your day in housing court" or watch the video to know what to expect before, during, and after your case, or watch the video below.
Where Should You File Your Case?
Where to file a a Housing case, or "HP Action", in your borough
Bronx Housing Court
1118 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10456
HP Clerk
Lobby
Window 7
718-466-3014
Kings Civil Court
141 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
HP Clerk
Room 202
Window 10
347-404-9200
New York Civil Court
111 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013
HP Clerk
Room 225
Window 5
646-386-5500/1
Queens Civil Court
89-17 Sutphin Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11436
HP Clerk
Room 209
718-262-7145
Richmond Civil Court
927 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
HP Clerk
Basement
L&T Window
718-390-5420
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