NYC Renter's Checklist: What Your Landlord Must Provide Before You Sign

Legal requirements under NYC Housing Maintenance Code and state law — not suggestions.

Bring this to your apartment viewing.

Print the checklist and tick items off as you confirm them with the landlord or broker.

The legal basics

Warranty of habitability (RPL §235-b)

Every NYC residential lease includes an implied warranty that your apartment is fit to live in. This is the legal basis for every requirement on this page. A landlord cannot waive it in the lease.

Security deposit limits

NY state law caps residential security deposits at one month's rent. Landlord must return it within 14 days of move-out with an itemized list of any deductions. No itemized list = full return required.

Required annual filings

Annual property registration

Required by HPD every year. Must include owner name, managing agent, and emergency contact. If not registered, landlord cannot collect rent increases. Check: search HPD Online or look up on Brix.

Bed bug annual disclosure

Required by NYC Local Law 69. Landlord must disclose bed bug infestation history for the unit and building for the past year — must be provided before lease signing and annually. If not provided, ask in writing before signing.

Boiler inspection certificate

Annual inspection required, filed with DOB. Certificate must be available on request. Buildings with boilers built before 1990 require more frequent inspection.

Elevator inspection certificate

Annual inspection required for passenger elevators, certificate must be posted inside the elevator. If elevator has no posted certificate, file a complaint.

Gas piping inspection (Local Law 152)

Required every 4 years for most buildings. Landlord must file inspection report with DOB. Failures can result in gas shutoff.

Facade inspection (FISP / Local Law 11)

Required every 5 years for buildings taller than 6 stories. Landlord must file inspection report with DOB and correct unsafe conditions.

Required disclosures to tenants

Lead paint disclosure

Required for buildings built before 1960, or before 1978 if children under 6 live in the unit. Annual inspection and tenant notification required. Ask for the signed disclosure before signing any lease.

Window guards

Required in any apartment where a child under 10 lives. Landlord must install free of charge on request, even if no child currently lives there. Landlord must also send tenants an annual written notice asking whether children under 10 live in the unit — and include this notice with every lease and renewal.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Landlord must install and certify working detectors before each new tenancy. Tenants are responsible for keeping batteries replaced after move-in. If detectors are missing or broken at move-in, file a complaint — this is a Class C immediately hazardous violation.

Certificate of Occupancy

You have the right to request this from your landlord or look it up at DOB. It defines the legal use of your apartment. If your apartment's use doesn't match the CO, you may have legal protections.

Rent stabilization lease rider

If your apartment is rent stabilized, the landlord must attach an official DHCR lease rider explaining your rights. If it was not included, your apartment may still be stabilized — request your rent history from DHCR.

DHCR rent history

You can request the complete rent registration history for your unit directly from DHCR at apps.hcr.ny.gov/RentConnect. This shows every registered rent going back years — useful for detecting illegal overcharges if your apartment is rent stabilized.

Landlord access and entry notice

NYC has no statutory minimum notice for non-emergency entry, but most leases specify one — typically 24 hours. Check your lease before signing. For emergencies (fire, flood, gas leak) the landlord can enter without notice.

Required maintenance standards

Heat

Day (6am–10pm): 68°F minimum when outside temp is below 55°F. Night (10pm–6am): 62°F minimum, regardless of outside temp. Heat season runs Oct 1 to May 31. File a complaint if heat fails — landlord has 24 hours to restore.

Hot water

120°F minimum, 24 hours a day, year-round. File a complaint immediately if hot water fails.

Pest-free conditions

Landlord is required to maintain pest-free conditions. Roaches, mice, and rats are Class B or Class C violations depending on severity.

Mold

Landlord must remediate mold and fix the underlying cause. Visible mold is an HPD violation.

See your building's record

Type any NYC address. We'll show you which of these requirements are on file — and which aren't.

How to file a complaint

311

For housing conditions: heat, hot water, pests, leaks. Call 311 or visit 311.nyc.gov.

HPD Online

File complaints directly at hpdonline.nyc.gov. Track status online.

Written notice to landlord

Before filing with the city, send written notice to your landlord describing the issue and requesting repair within a reasonable time. Keep a copy. This documents that the landlord knew about the problem and creates the paper trail you'll need if you have to escalate to housing court.

This page summarizes NYC Housing Maintenance Code requirements. Brix is a data platform — not a legal service. For legal advice, contact a tenant attorney or Right to Counsel NYC.