HPD No Heat / No Hot Water Violation in NYC
An HPD violation for failing to provide legally required heat or hot water to tenants — with per-day civil penalties that run until the condition is corrected.
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What It Means
NYC building owners must provide hot water 365 days a year at a constant minimum of 120°F. During Heat Season (October 1 – May 31), when the outside temperature is below 55°F between 6 AM and 10 PM, inside temperature must be at least 68°F; between 10 PM and 6 AM, inside temperature must be at least 62°F regardless of the outside temperature. When a tenant files a 311 complaint and an HPD inspector records temperatures below these thresholds, HPD issues a violation.
Why You Got It
Common triggers: boiler breakdowns or red-tagged boilers, failed hot water heaters, fuel outages, and aging heating plants in multifamily buildings — most often surfacing as 311 complaints during Heat Season.
Consequences & Penalties
HPD can seek civil penalties of $250–$500 per day for each initial heat or hot water violation, and $500–$1,000 per day for subsequent violations at the same building within the same or next calendar year (or heat season), running from the posting of the Notice of Violation until correction. Some first violations are eligible for a $250 payment in satisfaction with a timely Notice of Correction. HPD also charges a $200 inspection fee for repeat violation-producing inspections, and its Emergency Repair Program may restore service itself and bill the owner — with unpaid amounts becoming a lien on the property.
Information current as of 2026-07-11. Penalty amounts and deadlines change — confirm specifics against your violation notice or with a Licensed Master Plumber.
How to Clear It
- Restore heat or hot water immediately — for eligible first violations, the condition must be fixed within 24 hours of the violation posting to use the payment-in-satisfaction option.
- Diagnose and repair the underlying equipment (boiler, hot water heater, controls, fuel supply) with licensed contractors; gas-fired equipment work requires a Licensed Master Plumber.
- Submit the Notice of Correction to HPD (by mail or eCertification), with the $250 payment within 10 days if using payment in satisfaction.
- Verify on HPDONLINE that the violation shows corrected and check the litigation tab for any open case.
- Address the root cause — recurring heat violations at the same building escalate to the higher penalty tier.
Timeline
Heat Season runs October 1 – May 31. Penalties accrue per day from the Notice of Violation posting until correction, so same-day or next-day repair is the goal. The payment-in-satisfaction window is 24 hours to correct and 10 days to pay.
Related Laws & Rules
- NYC Housing Maintenance Code
- Multiple Dwelling Law
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperatures does NYC law require?
Hot water: 120°F minimum, 365 days a year. During Heat Season (Oct 1 – May 31): at least 68°F inside when it is below 55°F outside between 6 AM and 10 PM, and at least 62°F inside between 10 PM and 6 AM regardless of outside temperature.
How much are HPD heat violation penalties?
HPD can seek $250–$500 per day for an initial heat or hot water violation and $500–$1,000 per day for subsequent violations at the same building in the same or next calendar year or heat season, from the violation posting until correction.
Can I resolve a first heat violation without going to Housing Court?
Some first violations are eligible for payment in satisfaction: correct the condition within 24 hours of the violation posting, submit a Notice of Correction, and pay $250 within 10 days. The Notice of Violation states whether your violation is eligible.
What happens if I don’t restore heat after a violation?
HPD’s Emergency Repair Program may contract private companies to restore service and bill you for the repairs plus fees, and HPD may pursue civil penalties in Housing Court. Unpaid fees become a lien on the property.
Sources
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