FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Violation Reissuance Program?

The Violations Reissuance Program is a program that provides owners whose properties are eligible for participation with an opportunity to have many overdue or old violations removed from the Department’s records without paying a fee as long as the appropriate information is submitted to HPD on or before the deadline stated on the Notice of Violation form.

What are “overdue” violations?

“Overdue” violations are violations that were never certified by the owner as being corrected or inspected and verified as corrected by HPD.  Overdue violations can date back many years.

Why was my building chosen for this program?

Your building was chosen because HPD's records indicate eligibility based on criteria such as violation history, past participation in the re-issuance program, false certification history, emergency repair balance and housing litigation activity.  

How is the Violation Re-issuance Program beneficial to owner?

The Re-issuance Program is beneficial to owners because it allows them to get overdue corrected violations removed from HPD’s records without paying a fee.  It also enables HPD’s records to accurately reflect the conditions of the property.

Must I participate in the Violation Re-issuance Program?

No.  Participation in the Violation Re-issuance Program is not mandatory.  If you choose not to participate, simply discard the re-issued Notice of Violation that is on gold and white paper.  A Notice of Violation that is NOT on gold and white paper is a new violation and should not be discarded.

I did not own this building at the time the violations were written, am I still responsible for them?

Violations are associated with the property, not the owner.  If not resolved and certified when issued, a violation will remain overdue until an owner comes into HPD for an inspection or reissuance.   

This building was totally rehabilitated, are these violations still valid?

When a building has been gutted and totally rehabilitated the old violations still need to be addressed through an inspection by HPD or by participation in the Violation Re-issuance Program.  Additionally, HPD can update its occupancy records if you attach a copy of the new Certificate of Occupancy to the forms that you will be returning to HPD.  You should fill in the appropriate information on the “Certification of Correction of Violation” page, sign, have it notarized, and attach the copy of new Certificate of Occupancy.

I am no longer the owner, what should I do with these documents?

You can forward them to current owner or discard them.

Do I have to remove all the violations?

You do not have to certify the correction of all violations.  Only certify those that have been corrected.

How do I know if a violation is a re-issued violation or a new violation?

Re-issued violations are printed on gold and white paper. 

What are “pending” violations?

“Pending” violations are recently issued violations for which the owner still has time to certify correction to HPD.  They are not covered by this program.

What is the typical way to get “overdue” violations removed from HPD’s records?

In order to get overdue corrected violations removed from HPD’s open violations database, owners must normally pay to have a Dismissal Request Inspection performed by HPD’s Division of Code Enforcement.

I have received a Re-issuance Notice of Violation.  How do I participate?

If you are interested in participation, you will need to complete all the necessary paperwork and return required materials by the dates specified in the package you receive.  Carefully read each violation description and confirm that the violations have been corrected.  On the back of the “Notice of Violation” form is the “Certification of Correction of Violation" form.

This formed must be filled in completely before you return it to HPD.

• Fill in the county where your building is located
• Fill in your name
• (Section 1)   Check appropriate box that describes your relationship to the property
• (Section 4) For each violation listed on the reverse side of this page:
  • Write the item number (in first column)
  • List the date corrected (Month and Year) in second column
  • List who performed the work (Contractor, Superintendent, Owner, etc.)
  • List the address of the contractor or employee (if available)
•   (Section 5) Have each page signed and notarized.  Please include phone number

All violations should be corrected by or before the “CORRECTED by” date located in the upper right corner of the Notice of Violation page

The deadline to submit the documents to HPD is the “CERTIFIED by” date located in the upper right corner of the Notice of Violation page. 

Each class of violation (A, B, or C) has individual “CORRECTED by” and “CERTIFIED  by” dates! Review each page.

Do I have to be the owner to remove the violations?

The owner or managing agent or another registered officer of the property may certify the correction of the violations.

Should I check that all open re-issued violations have been corrected, even though I corrected them a long time ago?

Yes, owners are strongly encouraged to inspect all open re-issued violations to be certain that the conditions in the violations have not-recurred.

I just purchased this house, why didn’t these violations show up at closing?

HPD violations are available on-line.  You should contact  your title search company if the violations were not identified at your closing.

If a violation was corrected before I owned the property, how do I complete the form?

If work was completed before you owned the property and you do not know who corrected the violation, write “Previous Owner” on the certification form in the spaces provided.  If the violation was corrected when you owned the property you must indicate when and by whom the violation was corrected, to the best of your knowledge.

Are all certified violations inspected by HPD?

No.  However, HPD may re-inspect any re-issued violation that is certified.  False certification is a crime and may subject you to civil and criminal penalties.

When are re-issued violations that are properly certified by the specified certification dates removed from HPD’s open violation database?

Re-issued violations that are properly certified by the deadlines, and are not inspected by HPD, will be deemed corrected and removed from the Department’s open violation database 70 days from the date the certification is received by HPD.  Re-issued violations that are properly certified by the deadlines, and are re-inspected by HPD, will be removed shortly after HPD’s re-inspection confirms that the violation is corrected.

Is there a deadline for mailing the certification of violation correction to HPD?

Yes.  Each class of violations will contain a separate correction date and a certification date.  Be sure to pay attention to the correction and certification dates.

What should I do if, while participating in the Violation Re-issuance Program, I receive a new violation?

You should correct all new violations and then properly certify correction to HPD by the deadlines specified in the materials sent to you.  Certification is the easiest and least expensive way to remove a violation.  Instructions on certification of violation correction are on the back of every Notice of Violation.

Are there some types of violations that are not re-issued?

Lead-based paint hazard violations will not be re-issued.

I missed the deadline indicated in your letter; can I still participate in the program?

If you missed the deadline for all classes of violations, you must submit a written request to “HPD, Division of Code Enforcement, 100 Gold Street, 4P6, New York, NY 10038.”  The building must have no violations open in the past year from your request, no current emergency repair program charges (you can check this with the Department of Finance) and no current litigation with HPD.  The request should list the address of the building.

I have copies of documents that prove that I removed these violations years ago; what should I do with them?  Do I need to send in proof that the violations were taken care of? (pictures, documents, bills)

For this program, there is no need to send proof.

Please explain the violation. I do not understand how to resolve the problem?

If you have questions regarding the program or violations, contact the numbers listed at the bottom of the letter.  You may also contact or visit your borough Code Enforcement Office listed in the upper left corner of the Notice of Violation form.

Can I include other buildings that I own?

If you wish to include other buildings in the program, you must submit a written request to “HPD, Division of Code Enforcement, 100 Gold Street, 4P6, New York, NY 10038.”  The building must have no violations open in the past year from your request, no current emergency repair program charges (you can check this with the Department of Finance) and no current litigation with HPD.  The request should list the address of the building.

I heard about this program from a neighbor, how may I participate?

If you wish to include other buildings in the program, you must submit a written request to “HPD, Division of Code Enforcement, 100 Gold Street, 4P6, New York, NY 10038.”  The building must have no violations open in the past year from your request, no current emergency repair program charges (you can check this with the Department of Finance) and no current litigation with HPD.  The request should list the address of the building. 

I will not be able to remove the violations by the time you indicated.  May I have an extension?  

There will be no extensions in this program.   You must correct the condition by the date provided on the front of the Notice of Violation.  The “Certify by” date on the Notice of Violation is your deadline for returning the certification documents to HPD.

I will not be able to remove the violations by the time you indicated.  Can I remove them at a later date without penalty?

Yes.  However, you will have to file for a Dismissal Request.

Will you send notification when the violations are removed?

You can check HPD’s website nyc.gov/hpd 71 days from the submission of your certification to see if violations are removed.  You will receive a notice if violations are deemed complied or falsely certified if the condition has not been corrected.

These violations were done years ago; can you send an inspector out for a re-inspection?

You can file for a Dismissal Request inspection if you prefer to have an inspection done instead of certifying the correction of the conditions.  The application and the fee schedule is available on-line at nyc.gov/hpd.

I cannot afford to do all of these repairs now, but would like to remove the violations.  What should I do?

Can I return these documents in person?

Yes, you may return your documents to the borough office listed in the upper left corner of the Notice of Violation form.  The offices are open from 9AM to 4PM, Monday through Friday.

What’s the difference between an A, B, or C violation?

Class A violations are non-hazardous and you have 90 days to correct them.
Class B violations are hazardous and you have 30 days to correct them.
Class C violations are immediately hazardous and you have 24 hours to correct them.

What does “sty”, “apt” and other various acronyms mean?

Please contact the numbers listed in the letter or contact your borough office listed in the upper left corner of the Notice of Violation form.

Do you have a website where I can go to check of the status of my violations?

Yes, www.NYC.GOV/HPD.  Enter the building address on the right hand side of the home page.  Once you have selected the appropriate building, click “Open violations” on the left hand tool bar.

Who should I call if I have more questions concerning the Violation Re-issuance Program?

You may e-mail your questions to VIOLRE08@hpd.nyc.gov or call HPD at 212-863-8580.