Property Owner Responsibilities

Property owners and tenants have rights and responsibilities to each other. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is one of many City and state agencies that enforce those responsibilities. The ABCs of Housing is designed to help property owners and tenants understand housing rules and regulations, and provide resources. Property owners are required to post a notice about the availability of the ABCs of Housing in the common area of their building.

The ABCs of Housing

The ABCs of Housing is HPD's guide to housing rules and regulations for owners and tenants.

Owners and tenants have legal responsibilities to each other. HPD is one of many city and state agencies that enforce those responsibilities. This booklet is designed to help owners and tenants gain an understanding of the rules and regulations affecting housing, and to provide information about how to receive assistance.

Inside the guide you will find information about owners' and tenants' rights and responsibilities, staying in your apartment safely, resources for new affordable housing or rental assistance, and useful contact information for other housing related issues.

The ABCs of Housing is also available in additional languages:

Property Owner Responsibilities

Property owner responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Ensuring that common areas and individual apartment units are safe and well maintained, in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code (HMC) and Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL).
Providing and maintain security measures and standards related health and safety.
Renting only legal residential space, as defined by the Certificate of Occupancy.
Registering units annually with HPD for owners of residential properties with three or more residential units and owners of one- to two-family homes if neither the owner not the owner's immediate family reside at the property.
Registering rents annually with NYS Homes and Community Renewal if the building is rent-stabilized.
Posting signage and notices as required by the MDL and the Rules of the City of New York.
Inform HPD, upon entering into a buyout agreement with a lawful occupant of their building, resulting in a tenant vacating the unit.

Notices and Bulletins to Property Owners

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9/2023 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This September 2023 Bulletin to Property Ownersprovides updates on new legislation and information on available materials and resources to residential building owners to support compliance with the New York City Housing Maintenance Code, the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law and other relevant city codes.

8/2023 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This August 2023 Bulletin to Property Ownersprovides information about the duties of owners and tenants regarding laws and rules relating to housing in New York City.

6/2023 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This June 2023 Bulletin to Property Ownersprovides information about the duties of owners and tenants regarding laws and rules relating to housing in New York City.

5/2023 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This May 2023 Bulletin to Property Ownersprovides information about property registration, remediating mold conditions properly, and rat academy training.

4/2023 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This April 2023 Bulletin to Property Ownersprovides information about an upcoming webinar, virtual housing information sessions, window guards annual notice, HPD Mobile Outreach van, HPD Act Now! series, and the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS).

3/2023 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This March 2023 Bulletin to Property Ownersprovides information about the lead annual notice, HCR registration, Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, Fire Safety, and HPD mold violation work required and dismissal notice.

2/2023 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This February 2023 Bulletin to Property Ownersprovides information about annual bedbug report registration, AEP, and rats.

1/2023 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This January 2023 Bulletin to Property Ownersprovides information about important dates, property registration, self-closing doors, indoor allergen hazards, and stobe knob covers annual notice.

12/2022 - Lead Briefing to Property Owners

This December 2022 Lead Briefing to Property Ownersprovides information about the unit testing requirement, important dates for Local Law 1 annual notice and inspection requirements, and FAQs about lead-safe work practices.

11/2022 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This November 2022 Bulletin provides information about important dates, annual notices, property registration, and a childcare property tax incentive.

10/2022 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This October 2022 Bulletin provides information about heat season, bedbug annual reports, and Local Law 97.

10/2022 - Lead Briefing to Property Owners

This October 2022 Lead Briefing to Property Owners provides information webinars and in-person events for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

9/2022 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This September 2022 Bulletin provides information about Local Law 97, property registration, and heat season.

8/2022 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This August 2022 Bulletin provides information about Property owners who are required to register, should submit their registration as soon as possible.

6/2022 (2) - Bulletin to Property Owners

This June 2022 Bulletin to Property Owners provides information about CONH and DOB office hours.