HPD Violations for NYC Landlords: Classes, Deadlines, and How to Clear Them
11 min read · Updated 2025-01-15
NYC HPD violation classes A, B, and C explained: cure deadlines, emergency repair liens, and the process for certifying corrections to the Housing Preservation & Development.
HPD Violation Classes and Deadlines
What is HPD and why does it issue violations?
The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) enforces the NYC Housing Maintenance Code (HMC) and Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL). HPD issues violations when a property fails to meet minimum habitability standards — things like no heat, no hot water, leaks, pest infestations, broken windows, and lead paint hazards. Violations are typically triggered by tenant complaints via 311, although HPD also conducts proactive inspections of complaint-heavy buildings.
What is a Class A HPD violation?
Class A violations are "non-hazardous" — they represent conditions that affect quality of life but don't pose an immediate health risk. Examples include a broken door lock, a minor plaster crack, or a missing hinge. Class A violations must be corrected within 90 days of issuance. Although less urgent than B or C violations, they still appear on the HPD building profile and can be problematic for financing and sales if left uncured in large numbers.
What is a Class B HPD violation?
Class B violations are "hazardous" conditions that have a significant impact on health or safety. Examples include inadequate heat, a rodent infestation, a broken elevator in a building where tenants can't climb stairs, or a persistent leak causing mold growth. Class B violations must be corrected within 30 days. Failure to cure triggers an ECB/OATH summons and civil penalties.
What is a Class C HPD violation?
Class C violations are "immediately hazardous" and carry the most urgent cure deadlines. Examples include no heat when temperatures are below the legal threshold, lead paint in an apartment where a child under six lives, rodent or insect infestations severe enough to threaten health, or broken fire suppression systems. Class C violations must be corrected within 24 hours. If the landlord doesn't act, HPD can make emergency repairs and bill the cost back to the property through a lien.
What is an HPD emergency repair?
If an immediately hazardous (Class C) condition is not corrected within 24 hours, HPD can arrange for city contractors to make the repair and charge the cost to the building owner. These emergency repair charges are placed as a lien on the property and can be substantial — often far more than what a responsive landlord would have paid to their own contractor. The lien accrues interest and must be paid off or addressed at sale or refinancing.
How do I certify an HPD violation as corrected?
Certification is done through HPD Online (hpdonline.nyc.gov). You log into the system, locate the violation record, and submit a Certificate of Correction. For some violation types — especially lead paint — you must also submit documentation such as a clearance report or contractor certification. HPD will then schedule a reinspection to confirm the correction. If the inspector finds the condition corrected, the violation is closed. If not, it remains open and additional penalties may follow.
Can a tenant complain about an HPD violation being closed incorrectly?
Yes. If a tenant believes the condition was not actually corrected but the landlord certified it as corrected, they can file a new 311 complaint. HPD will reinspect. Providing false certification is a serious matter and can result in additional violations and referral to the Department of Investigation. If patterns of false certification exist, HPD can add the building to their enhanced enforcement programs.
How do HPD violations affect my ability to raise rent?
For rent-stabilized units, outstanding HPD violations can affect the landlord's ability to collect rent increases. Under the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, owners of buildings with substantial violations may face restrictions on Major Capital Improvement (MCI) rent increases. Additionally, tenants in buildings with open violations may be able to withhold rent or file a rent reduction application with DHCR until conditions are corrected.
What is the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP)?
AEP is an HPD program targeting the 250 most distressed residential buildings in NYC — those with the highest violation rates per unit. Buildings placed in AEP face enhanced inspection frequency, a requirement to develop a corrective action plan, and HPD's authority to make repairs and bill the owner. AEP placement is serious and can result in receiver appointment if the owner fails to cooperate. Getting out of AEP requires substantially reducing violations and demonstrating a commitment to maintenance.
How long does HPD take to close a violation after certification?
Processing times vary. After you submit a Certificate of Correction online, HPD typically schedules a reinspection within 15 to 30 days. Once the inspector confirms correction, the violation status updates in HPD Online — usually within a week of the reinspection. During busy periods (heat season, post-hurricane), reinspection queues can be longer. Always keep your certification submission confirmation as proof you acted in good faith.