Allergens are substances in the environment that make indoor air quality worse. They can cause asthma attacks or make asthma symptoms worse. Common indoor allergens, or triggers, include mold, mice and rats, and cockroaches. Leaks that can cause mold, and cracks that allow pests to enter can lead to allergen exposure, so properly repairing these conditions as soon as they are observed is the best preventative action for tenants and property owners. Maintaining garbage in secure containers is also critical to reducing pest problems.
In New York City, Local Law 55 of 2018 requires that owners of buildings with three or more apartments keep their tenants’ apartments free of mold and pests. This includes safely fixing the conditions that cause these problems.
For a general overview of what property owners must do and what every tenant should know, see the What Tenants and Landlords Should Know About Indoor Allergens and Local Law 55 fact sheet.
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Tenant Responsibilities
If you observe a leak, signs of mold growth, or the presence of pests, notify your landlord. If your landlord does not fix the hazard, or if repair work is not being done safely file a complaint online or call 311.
If you are a tenant and your or your child has asthma, and there are pests or mold in your home, your doctor can request a free home environmental inspection for you through the New York City Health Department’s Online Registry. Talk to your doctor or call 311 to earn more.
Tenants also play a role in preventing indoor allergens. Tenants should:
The following audio clips provide instruction on keeping your home clean, green, and healthy.
Owner Requirements
Owners of residential buildings with three or more units are required by Local Law 55 of 2018 to:
Learn how to identify the causes and address the conditions for mold, and landlord responsibilities in this podcast.
HPD Requirements
HPD is required to:
Violations
Violation Class | Area of Mold Presence | Pest Presence | Days to Correct Violation |
---|---|---|---|
Class A |
|
- | 90 |
Class B |
|
All other pests besides mice, rats, or cockroaches | 30 |
Class C | Equal to or greater than 30 square feet in a room within a dwelling unit | Mice, rats, or cockroaches in any dwelling unit or common area | 21 |
Property owners are required to correct violations within a specified time frame (see chart above). The dates for Correction and Certification of Correction for violations can be found on the Notice of Violation or through eCertification. The date of Correction can also be found on HPDONLINE.
In accordance with Local Law 55, violations will be upgraded as follows.
Class A violations will be upgraded to a Class B violation, if:
Class B violation will be upgraded to a Class C violation, if:
Only an owner, managing agent, officer of the corporation that owns the property, or party otherwise responsible for the property listed on the property registration may certify correction of the violation.
Complete the appropriate Certification of Correction Form below and attach the applicable documents:
Two conditions must be met to allow the removal of a mold violation issued after March 31, 2018 by HPD or a pest violation issued after January 19, 2019.
Below are the required Affidavits and, for mold, specific instructions about which affidavit is required based on the date of the violation issuance, the size of the building and the class of the violation.
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