How to use this site

The Rat Information Portal (RIP) is a web-based mapping application where users can view rat inspection data. Findings from the Health Department’s inspections are searchable by address, or by borough, block and lot (BBL). You can use the map tools to find information about properties on the map. 

For help using this online mapping application, you can consult the RIP Quick Start Guide(pdf).

• Terms used on the RIP
  • Initial Inspection - Inspections conducted in response to a 311 complaint, or a proactive inspection conducted through our neighborhood indexing program.
  • Compliance Inspection - If a property fails its initial inspection, the Health Department will conduct a follow up (compliance) inspection.
  • Baiting - Application of rodenticide bait, or other visits by a Health Department pest professional. 
  • Cleanup - The removal of garbage and clutter from a property by the Health Department.  
• Information about the most recent inspections, compliance, baitings, and cleanups on any given property are available as far back as September, 2009.  Check the date of a failed inspection -- the property owner may have already fixed the problem.
• Complaints about rats in parks, in public housing and in schools are directed to those agencies for follow-up. The Health Department may proactively inspect these properties through the neighborhood rat indexing program. With the exception of large parks, our findings are shown on the maps.
• Properties fail inspections when any signs of rats are found. Not all properties have an equally severe problem.
• Sometimes, despite an owner’s best efforts, a property may fail an initial inspection due to the continued presence of rats on their block. Rats rarely exist on a single property. Getting rid of them often requires a neighborhood response.

A “Rat Indexing” program is being conducted in the Bronx and Manhattan that involves inspecting most properties even if no complaint has been received. For this reason, the inspection findings in the Bronx and Manhattan should not be compared to the other boroughs.

• Contact your Community Board
• Work with your Local Business Improvement District
• Help the Department of Sanitation by Adopting a Basket
• Volunteer to keep your local park clean and rat free
• New York City Rodent Academy