June 2026 Bulletin to Property Owners

Property Owners

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) periodically provides 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. Visit the HPD website to read this bulletin (and past bulletins) in other languages.

This publication is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. This information is not a complete or final statement on all the duties of owners and tenants regarding laws and rules relating to housing in New York City.

PROPERTY REGISTRATION

Residential buildings are required to register annually if the property is a multiple dwelling with 3 or more residential units, regardless of whether the owner resides at the premises; or a private dwelling with 1-2 residential units if neither the owner nor the owner's immediate family resides there. Building registrations must also be filed whenever ownership changes or whenever the information on a valid registration changes (for example, new managing agent or site management). 
HPD is committed to ensuring you are kept aware of complaints, violations, and emergency conditions at your property, but you must do your part.

When completing the 2027 forms, please keep in mind to:
• List actual owner or agent on the registration form or be subject to civil penalties. Anyone willfully filing a false registration shall be subject to a penalty of between $750 and $5,000. 
• Register with appropriate telephone numbers, including a 24-hour number at which someone can be reached in case of a building emergency.
• Provide an email address to receive emails from HPD regarding complaints and violation notifications, opportunities for assistance, new laws and regulations, and emergency notifications.
• Provide both business and residential addresses on the property registration to avoid the risk of not receiving notification of HPD violations and being subject to civil penalties for not addressing violations.
IF YOU DO NOT REGISTER, YOU:
• Subject yourself to civil penalties. Pursuant to Local Law 71 of 2023, Section 27-2107 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, any person or person(s) required to file a statement of registration who fails to file as required shall be subject to a civil penalty between $500 to $1,500 for a multiple dwelling with five units or less and between $1,000 to $5,000 for multiple dwellings with more than five units. 
• Buildings without current valid property registrations may be issued Orders and will be ineligible to certify violations, request a Dismissal Request, or initiate court action to recover possession of the premises for nonpayment of rent.
Note that corporations are required to include corporation officers in section 5 of the form (responsible party).
You may visit HPD’s Property Registration Online System (PROS) at PROS Public Home (nyc.gov) to update any information that needs to be changed, pay the $13 registration fee to the Department of Finance, and print the form. The owner and agent must sign and date the updated form, which should be mailed to HPD as outlined on the form. The system is easy to access and quick to use. Register early to ensure your form is processed in time to meet the deadline! Questions about registration can be sent to register@hpd.nyc.gov.
Visit the HPD webpage or contact the Registration Unit for more information at (212) 863-7000.

CENTRALIZED DISMISSAL REQUEST PROCESSING

Effective July 1, 2026, all HPD Violation Dismissal Request applications will be processed by a centralized unit located at: 345 Adams Street, 10th Floor, Brooklyn, NY.
When HPD violations are not timely certified as corrected—or are determined to have been falsely certified—HPD may require a reinspection before dismissing the violation(s). This reinspection, known as a Dismissal Request Inspection, requires:
• Submission of an application by the property owner
• Payment of a required fee
• Identification of all violations the owner seeks to dismiss (applications may cover some or all violations for a property)
Submit Dismissal Request applications to the:
Central Violation Administration Unit
345 Adams Street, 10th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Applications may be mailed or delivered in person.
For questions, please call (212) 863-8060.

NATURAL GAS DETECTING DEVICE

Local Law 102 of 2025 requires owners of all multiple dwellings (Class A and Class B Multiple Dwellings) and one- and two-family homes (non-owner occupied) that have gas piping to provide and install, by January 1, 2027, at least one approved and operational natural gas detector pursuant to the requirements of the New York City Building Code. A posting notice is also required related to the provision of these devices.
Owners may install a device that combines smoke, carbon monoxide and gas detecting capabilities instead of three separate devices. When detectors are combined, the alarms' installation must conform to applicable requirements to be compliant.
Exemptions: There will be a process through which you may file for an exemption from some of the above requirements under the circumstances outlined below. More information will be provided on this later this year.
• A building can be exempt from providing carbon monoxide detecting devices and posting notices related to carbon monoxide if it has no fossil fuel burning devices and no enclosed parking spaces
o Note: If the residential portion of your building does not have any fossil fuel burning devices but does have enclosed parking spaces in a space attached to the residential building, you are required to provide carbon monoxide detecting devices in the apartments only on those floors with the enclosed parking spaces, and on those floors immediately above and immediately below the enclosed parking spaces. In this case, you may file for a partial exemption.
• A building can be exempt from providing natural gas detecting devices and posting notices related to natural gas If the building has no gas piping.
More information on device requirements, record keeping for installation and maintenance can be found here. Updates to this information will be made available on our website within the next few weeks. You can also visit DOB’s FAQs: Natural Gas Detection Devices.

GAS SAFETY

Gas leaks are extremely dangerous and can create fires and explosions. Buildings which have gas service are required to maintain that service safely. Property owners are required by New York City law to post a Suspected Gas Leaks Notice for tenants about how to identify gas odors and how to act once they believe that there is a gas leak. HPD will issue a violation for failure to post the required notice. The notice advises tenants that if they smell gas, they should go outside and call 911 and the utility company to report a gas emergency. Owners must enter the appropriate utility information onto the required posting notice: National Grid, which services Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island can be reached at 718-643-4050, and Con Edison customers can call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) to report a gas emergency.

For more information and resources on gas safety and awareness, please visit National Grid’s Natural Gas Safety or download a copy of their New York City Gas Safety Brochure.

It is illegal and dangerous to make changes to a gas system – including adding facilities such as gas dryers – without filing with and approval by the Department of Buildings, or to repair gas service that has been shut off by the DOB, the Fire Department, or a utility company. Such action can result in significant fines and a loss of service for the entire building. Gas restoration, new gas service, or replacements of gas services should always be completed by a licensed plumber. Property owners are required to act to restore gas for heat and hot water or gas for cooking immediately once any of those services are disrupted.

NATIONAL GRID GAS DEMAND RESPONSE WEBINAR

The Gas Demand Response Program offers firm commercial customers financial incentives when natural gas use is reduced or shifted on very cold days.
Our program experts will provide you with all the information you need to participate and receive incentives during the upcoming heating season, including the opportunity to earn up to an additional 20% incentive, when applied to an energy efficiency project.
Gas Demand Response Webinar
Downstate New York
Monday, June 22, 2026
11 a.m. ‒ 12 p.m.

Don’t miss out. Reserve your spot for our no-cost educational webinar.

WINDOW GUARDS
IMPORTANT: THE REQUIRED NOTICE HAS CHANGED!

The Annual Notice regarding Window Guards, required to be distributed to tenants for all residential properties with 3 or more apartments, has been updated due to updates to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s new Rules. Annual notice is not required, but recommended, for residential properties with 1 or 2 units. Window guards save the lives of children every year. This Notice advises tenants that they are entitled to window guards and requires the property owner to install window guards if they receive notice that a child under 11 resides in the apartment.

Depending on whether the building was built prior to 1960, an owner can provide the tenants with a Window Guard Annual Notice (post 1960) or use the combined form (also inquiring about a child under 6 for lead-based paint compliance):
• Window Guard Annual Notice
• Combined Lead-based Paint and Window Guard Annual Notice in English and Spanish
AGAIN, PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE NOTICES HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND YOU SHOULD USE THE UPDATED NOTICE FOR THIS YEAR’S NOTIFICATION.

UPDATES to NYC Window Guard Rules

The NYC Health Department has adopted the following updates to the City’s window guard rules to reflect changes in building design and technology. These updates went into effect on January 1, 2026. The window guard law, enacted in 1976 to prevent fatal and serious falls by young children (aged 10 or younger), has contributed to a dramatic reduction in falls – from 217 in 1976 to 9 falls in 2024.

o Update to window safety requirements to match modern window designs.
o Update window guard rules to align with the new “reside” definition (a child resides if they routinely spend 10 or more hours a week in an apartment).
o Incorporate new technology for window-limiting devices and emerging window types.
o Streamline approval of new windows and safety devices by replacing the Window Guard Policy & Acceptance board with a new registration process.
o Add requirements for proper installation of window air conditioners, since many child falls happen due to improper A/C installation or removal.
o Require window fall prevention devices on any window that opens onto a balcony or terrace above the first or ground floor in multi-unit buildings.
In windows with air conditioners, building owners should permanently install window AC units using one-way tamper-resistant screws in apartments where a child aged 10 or younger lives. The AC should be permanently and securely bolted into the window frame without leaving any open space greater than four-and-a-half inches. Rigid material should be used on all sides of AC units to prevent any accidents from occurring. Contacting the landlord for professional installation is encouraged to ensure safety and compliance.
In dwelling units with children 10 years of age or younger, tenants must inform the building owner by completing the annual notice provided by the landlord that a child 10 or under resides in an apartment. Once the building owner is informed, the tenant should:
• Allow the building owner or representative access to the apartment to install window guards or stopping devices that keep windows from opening more than 4½ inches.
• Never alter or remove window guards or limiting devices once they are installed.
Find out more about window guards on the Health Department Window Guards webpage. You can also email windowfallprevention@health.nyc.gov.

COASTAL STORM SPREPAREDNESS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS

Hurricane Season Is Underway—Do You Have a Hurricane Preparedness Plan?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Property owners and managers should take steps now to prepare their buildings, staff, and residents for severe weather, coastal flooding, and power outages.

Stay Informed
To receive emergency notifications, sign up for Notify NYC, the City's free emergency notification system: Notify NYC

Property owners are also required to maintain current registration information with HPD. Ensure your annual property registration includes an accurate 24-hour emergency contact number so City agencies can reach you during emergencies. For information on property registration requirements, visit: HPD - Register Your Property

Know Your Evacuation Zone
New York City is divided into six hurricane evacuation zones. Depending on forecast conditions, the Mayor may order the evacuation of one or more zones before a storm impacts the city. To determine whether your property is located in an evacuation zone, visit: Know Your Zone

Preparing Your Building and Residents
Property owners should consider the following preparedness measures:

• Provide emergency preparedness information to residents. New York City requires residential buildings to distribute the NYC Apartment Building Emergency Preparedness Guide to occupants at lease signing and at least once every three years thereafter. Information about the guide is available at:
FDNY Emergency Planning and Preparedness
• Develop and maintain a building emergency plan that addresses evacuation, shelter-in-place procedures, communications, staffing, utility disruptions, and recovery operations.
• Communicate your elevator policy to tenants, especially residents who rely on elevators for mobility. If elevators must be removed from service due to storm conditions, provide as much advance notice as possible.
• Establish multiple methods of communicating with residents, including building intercom systems, email, text messaging, posted notices, or other means that can be used before, during, and after a storm.
• Plan for communications disruptions. Consider alternative ways for building staff, managing agents, and ownership representatives to communicate if telephone, internet, or power service is interrupted.
• Train building staff on emergency procedures, including reporting flooding, utility outages, structural damage, and hazardous conditions.
• Secure outdoor equipment, furniture, and loose materials that could become windborne hazards during severe weather.
• Assess building conditions as soon as it is safe to do so after a storm and promptly address hazardous conditions affecting residents.
• Respond quickly to requests from City agencies conducting post-storm damage assessments, recovery operations, or emergency inspections.

Emergency Posting Requirements
Pursuant to Local Law requirements, owners of residential multiple dwellings must post a temporary notice in a common area of the building:

• Prior to an anticipated weather emergency;
• Following a natural disaster affecting the building; and
• After being informed of a utility outage expected to last more than 24 hours.

The notice must provide residents with relevant emergency information and available resources.

Additional Resources

HPD Reminder
Building owners are responsible for maintaining safe and habitable conditions for tenants before, during, and after emergencies. Advance planning, accurate emergency contact information, and clear communication with residents can help reduce the impacts of severe weather and support a faster recovery following a storm.