DOB NOW: Safety for Elevator Compliance Filings FAQs

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How do I create an account to use DOB NOW: Safety Elevator?

DOB NOW: Safety accounts are managed by our eFiling system. You must create an eFiling account and then use that email and password to log into DOB NOW: Safety.
For more information about how to create an eFiling account, visit here: www.nyc.gov/dobnowtips.

If I am already registered in eFiling, do I need to register again for DOB NOW: Safety?

You may use your existing eFiling username and password to access DOB NOW: Safety but your account needs to be specific to your license number if you are an Elevator Director/Co-Director or Elevator Inspector. If you need to update your eFiling account with your license information, please login to eFiling at www.nyc.gov/dobefiling to make any changes. DOB NOW: Inspections uses different account information. If you only have a DOB NOW: Inspections account, you will need to create an eFiling account in order to use DOB NOW: Safety.

If I am already registered in DOB NOW: Build, do I need to register again?

No, you do not need a separate account for DOB NOW: Safety. You will use your eFiling email and password to access both systems.

Who needs to register for DOB NOW: Safety Elevator?

All Owners, Agency Directors and Inspectors need an eFiling account to submit filings in DOB NOW: Safety. Register for eFiling at www.nyc.gov/dobefiling. For more information about how to register, visit here: www.nyc.gov/dobnowtips.

Once the eFiling account is activated, the licensed professional can use the eFiling email address and password to log into DOB NOW at www.nyc.gov/dobnow where the elevator inspection reports can be filed. Owners or owner representatives give their eFiling email addresses to their licensed professional who will enter it into DOB NOW to associate the owner with the filing. Owners can use their eFiling email addresses and passwords to log into DOB NOW where the elevator inspection reports will appear on the dashboard.

I’m the new owner of a property. How do I view the reports that have been submitted for a device?

When you log into DOB NOW: Safety at www.nyc.gov/dobnow, you will only see on your dashboard filings for which the elevator company submitted your email address as the owner. Once a filing is submitted, the owner information cannot be changed. To see these filings, search the DOB NOW public portal (the left side of the screen without logging in). When you give your email address to the elevator company for future filings, these reports will then appear on your dashboard when logging in.

How do I find out if an inspection report has been filed for a device?

If you are associated with the filing, it will appear on your dashboard when you log into DOB NOW: Safety. If you are not associated with the filing, you can search the DOB NOW public portal. Using the search functions to the left of the log in box, you can search by Address, BIN, Block and Lot, or Device Number. You will then be taken to a Property Profile page and at the bottom of this page is a section labeled Safety: Compliance Filings. When you click on this section, any submitted elevator inspection reports will be shown. Click on the View arrow to see more details about each filing. At this time, Affirmations of Correction (ELV29) are not viewable in the DOB NOW public portal.

What reports can I file in DOB NOW: Safety?

Effective September 17, 2018 all new inspection/test reports and notifications for elevators and other related devices must be submitted online through DOB NOW: Safety at www.nyc.gov/dobnow. This applies to:

  • Elevator Inspection/Test Reports (ELV3) for Category 1, Category 3 and Category 5.
  • Elevator/Escalator Test Notifications (ELV36) for Category 1 escalators, Category 5 elevators and related devices.
  • 2018 and all new Affirmations of Correction (ELV29) for Category 1 (ELV3) unsatisfactory reports (except those with an ELV3 inspection/test date from March 5-21, 2018)

The period to submit previously rejected paper filings has ended. Initial Affirmations of Correction for PVT violations are the only paper submissions allowed.

How do I file my elevator reports in DOB NOW: Safety Elevator?

All owners, Agency Directors and Inspectors need an eFiling account to submit filings in DOB NOW: Safety.  Register for eFiling at www.nyc.gov/dobefiling. For more information about how to register, visit here: www.nyc.gov/dobnowtips. Once the eFiling account is activated, the licensed professional can use the eFiling email address and password to log into DOB NOW at www.nyc.gov/dobnow where the elevator inspection reports can be filed.

For more information, including a step-by-step user manual, visit the DOB NOW: Safety Elevator Resources page at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/dob-now-safety-elevator-resources.page.

I submitted my payment by eCheck. Why is the filing status still Payment Verification in Progress?

It takes up to 10 business days for an eCheck payment to be approved in DOB NOW: Safety and for the report status to change from Payment Verification in Progress to Accepted. The accepted date will be the same as your filing date and will not reflect the additional days that were required for the payment to be processed.

When will I owe late fees on my filing?

Category 1 and Category 5 filings (ELV3) must be submitted within 60 calendar days from the date of inspection with satisfactory inspection results. Identified defects must be submitted within 120 days following the date of the inspection or test. Affirmation of Correction (ELV29) must be filed within 60 calendar days following the date of completion of repairs. See the table in Question 11 for a breakdown of the late fees.

How are late fees calculated in DOB NOW?

Late fees are calculated by calendar month as per Rule and summarized in the below table.

Initial Inspection Report (ELV3)

Residential (J)

Non-Residential (A)

CAT 1

CAT 1

CAT 5

Late Filing Fee per month per device

$50

$150

$250

Max late Filing Fee per year per device

$600

$1,800

$3,000*

Failure to file fee per year per device

$1,000

$3,000

$5,000*

*Note: While CAT 5 reports may be submitted up to one year late, the actual inspection date must be by the last day of the month in which the five year anniversary occurs or will be considered a Failure to File.*

As the elevator director or co-director, can I also be listed as the inspector on a filing?

Yes, the elevator director/co-director is allowed to also act as the inspector. This applies to Performing Inspector and Witnessing Inspector on Inspection/Test Reports (ELV3) as well as Approved Inspector on Affirmation of Corrections (ELV29). In these cases, the Director/Co-Director’s email address should be entered in both the Inspector and Director/Co-Director sections of the filing in DOB NOW: Safety.

I am getting the error message “device not found” when I try to enter an inspection/test report. How do I proceed?

Search the DOB NOW public portal to see if a report has already been filed for this device or to determine if the device is eligible for the type of inspection/test report you are trying to submit. Using the search functions to the left of the log in box, you can search by Address, BIN, Block and Lot, or Device Number. You will then be taken to a Property Profile page and at the bottom of this page is a section labeled Safety: Compliance Filings. When you click on this section, any submitted elevator inspection reports will be shown. Click on the View arrow to see more details about each filing.

If the device is still not found, submit an inquiry to the DOB NOW Help form at www.nyc.gov/dobnowhelp and provide the device number and type of inspection/test report (CAT1, CAT5, AOC) that you are trying to file. Your inquiry will be reviewed by the DOB NOW IT Department and you will be notified about how to proceed.

I am trying to submit a filing but I am getting an error message and cannot proceed. What can I do?

Please be sure to:

  • Review your entries for accuracy and confirm that all required fields have been filled out.
  • Confirm that you are logged into DOB NOW with the email address and password of the appropriate role for the action you are trying to take. The performing agency inspector, performing agency director, witnessing agency director, witnessing agency co-director and owner all need to log in separately to attest to a filing when applicable.
  • Consult the DOB NOW: Safety Elevator Step-by-Step User Manual.
  • Disable pop-up blockers.
  • If you are still receiving an error message, please submit an inquiry with your device number to DOB NOW Support at www.nyc.gov/dobnowhelp.