Tenants have a right to heat and hot water. Building owners must provide hot water all the time (every day for all hours at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit). They must provide heat between October 1st and May 31st ("Heat Season"), depending on the temperature and the time of day:

  • Day: Between the hours of 6:00am and 10:00pm, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature must be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Night: Between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am, the inside temperature must be at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are a tenant without heat or hot water, keep track of your heat and hot water and contact your landlord first. If your landlord doesn't respond, file a complaint by:

To learn more about what happens next, visit HPD's website on what to expect.

To check for heat and hot water violations reported in your building or the status of your heat and hot water complaint, visit HPD ONLINE.

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Last Reviewed: August 8, 2023