November 28, 2023

The City’s Housing Agency Provides Families with a 2023-2024 Guide to Heat Season

NEW YORK – The 2023-2024 Heat Season has already kicked off in New York City, and temperatures are expected to drop below freezing for the next few days. As winter approaches, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the city agency charged with fighting a decades-long housing crisis while keeping New Yorkers safe, wants New Yorkers to stay informed about keeping warm in their homes.

From October 1 through May 31, residential property owners are legally required to provide sufficient heat to keep indoor temperatures at 68 degrees or higher when the outside temperature drops below 55 degrees. Overnight, the minimum temperature must be 62 degrees, regardless of outdoor conditions. Property owners must also ensure hot water is consistently at 120 degrees year-round.

“The chill of the cold months is fast arriving, and we are once again prepared to ensure New Yorkers’ right to heat and hot water are protected. Our hard-working inspectors and emergency repair teams are ready to ensure the well-being of every tenant in New York City,” says HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “If your apartment lacks the warmth it deserves, report the issue to your landlord, and if the situation persists, contact 311 right away. We are ready to ensure that every home is a place of warmth, safety, and comfort.”

"New Yorkers have a right to heat and hot water, which is especially important as we head into the frigid winter months. My office is prepared to provide Staten Islanders with the resources available to them and assist with specific issues to ensure safety and comfort,” said Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo.

"Appropriate heating is an absolute necessity for all New Yorkers," said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, Chair of the Senate Social Services Committee. "It is one of the many issues my office deals with every heating season; I am pleased that New York City agencies are keeping residents informed of their rights to have a safe and warm place to stay."

"Chilly temperatures have arrived in our city, but that doesn't mean tenants should be left out in the cold," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "HPD is there to make sure every apartment in the city has adequate heat and hot water. Call 311 right away if your apartment lacks sufficient warmth and your landlord is unable or unwilling to fix the problem."

“It’s that time of year again to bundle up! It’s important that you and your family stay safe, stay warm, and have access to resources that make sure that you can be bundled up this winter,” said Diana Ayala, Deputy Speaker of the New York City Council. 

"With temperatures beginning to dip, tenants of NYC residential buildings should be aware of their right to a maintained indoor temp of at least 62 degrees overnight,” said Assemblywoman Weinstein.

"Tenants deserve to be safe and warm in their homes at all times,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. "As temperatures dip and winter approaches, it is critical that all New Yorkers are informed of their rights during heat season. If you lack the proper heat or hot water, I encourage all tenants to contact your landlord or superintendent to address the issues or contact 311 if the situation persists. Sharing this important information equips tenants, property owners, and all stakeholders with the tools they need to prepare for the cold weather.”

“You have the right to heat and hot water. If you are lacking heat during these winter months, help is a phone call away. Whenever you need to keep warm, you can dial 311. HPD will take action within 48 hours to make sure your landlord maintains a temperature of 68 degrees or more. I am proud to partner with HPD so that everyone in our City is warm, safe, and comfortable this winter season,” said Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar.

Ensuring New Yorker's safety and comfort during below-freezing temperatures is one of the city's top priorities. If a tenant is experiencing a lack of adequate heat or hot water, to quickly restore service:

• Report any issues to your building owner or superintendent, many property owners have mechanics and plumbers on staff, and are working to restore heat and hot water.
• If the issue persists, you can file a complaint by calling 311, visiting the 311 website, or using the 311Mobile app. For hard-of-hearing or Deaf tenants, a Touchtone Device for the Deaf (TDD) is available at (212) 504-4115 to register complaints.

After a tenant reports an issue to HPD, the agency tries to contact the building's managing agent to resolve the problem. If the issue persists, a Code Enforcement inspector will be dispatched to inspect the reported condition. HPD inspectors don't just focus on heat issues, they also proactively inspect safety measures such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, lead-based paint (if a child under six is present), and more. As the safety of families is top priority, HPD responded to emergency heat and hot water complaints within 48 hours during Fiscal Year 2023, ensuring that tenants have access to the essential resources they require, and will continue to answer all heat and hot water complaints with the same urgency.

Heat and hot water issues are often building-wide problems, which means HPD may receive multiple complaints from tenants in the same building. In response to these complaints, HPD may conduct a single inspection to address all the issues reported. After the inspection, an inspector will sign a yellow card in the building lobby to indicate the date and time of the inspection. Tenants can also check whether HPD has responded to their complaints by visiting HPD Online.

To stay warm this winter and to find out more, visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s website. Low-income property owners having trouble maintaining heat in their homes can contact the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for assistance with heating bills or equipment repairs.

Read the full press release detailing this year’s Heat Season and fire safety reminders here.