Print

Vacate Order

Your apartment/or building was issued a Vacate Order by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) because it is deemed unsafe to occupy due, but not limited to, any one or a combination of, the below causes:

  1. Danger of structural failure
  2. Danger of façade failure
  3. Inadequate fire protection, detection, or suppression
  4. Inadequate egress
  5. Improper storage of hazardous, combustible or toxic materials; or
  6. Defective or unlawful gas work.

Under these circumstances, a Vacate Order would be issued and posted in a prominent place. The details are provided on the posted order, and you can request information from the DOB Construction Enforcement Unit in the borough where the building is located. Contact the borough Construction Unit:

Bronx (718) 960-4730 or BXConstEnf@buildings.nyc.gov
Brooklyn (718) 802-3684/3685 or BKConstEnf@buildings.nyc.gov
Manhattan (212) 323-7288 or MNConstEnf@buildings.nyc.gov
Queens (718) 286-8360 or QConstructionEnforcement@buildings.nyc.gov
Staten Island (718) 420-5416 or SIConstEnf@buildings.nyc.gov

Vacate Orders can be limited to a portion of a building or structure (Partial Vacate) or the entire property (Full Vacate). The amount of time a Vacate Order is in effect depends on the severity of the problem and how soon the unsafe condition is corrected. While the Vacate Order is in effect you are not allowed to enter the building without the approval of the Department of Buildings.

Emergency Shelter

If you need shelter or emergency relocation services, please contact:

  • American Red Cross/Disaster Services
    (877) RED-CROSS/(877) 733-2767
    520 West 49 Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues)
    New York, NY 10019
  • NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
    Attn: Emergency Housing Services (EHS)
    (212) 863-7660
    100 Gold Street
    New York, NY 10038
    ehs-remote@hpd.nyc.gov

    NOTE: The EHS unit provides emergency relocation services and rehousing assistance to eligible households who have been displaced from their homes as a result of fires or City-issued vacate orders.

Additional Assistance

Resources

Additional Resources