Property Management

Property Owner Responsibilities

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Property Owner Responsibilities

*Important COVID-19 Updates*

Learn about Building Safety and Property Management Resources as the coronavirus crisis continues to evolve.

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

ABCs of Housing cover page

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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3/2021 - Lead Briefing

This "Get Ahead of Lead" March 2021 Briefing provides information about owner's responsibility at apartment turnover, lower lead-contaminated dust levels beginning June 12, 2021, and additional help for owners.

It is also available in additional languages:

2/2021 - Bulletin to Property Owners

The February 2021 Maintenance Bulletin provides information about upcoming webinars, window guards and stove knob covers annual notices and investigation, indoor allergen hazards, and AEP.

It is also available in additional languages:

1/2021 - Lead Briefing

This "Get Ahead of Lead" January 2021 Briefing provides information about the annual notice and investigation and auditing owners' records.

It is also available in additional languages:

1/2021 - Lead Briefing: Private Dwellings

This "Get Ahead of Lead" January 2021 Briefing: Private Dwellings provides information about upcoming webinars and the new lead-based paint law that applies to rental units in 1-2 family homes starting February 11, 2021.

It is also available in additional languages:

12/2020 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This December 2020 Maintenance Bulletin provides information about 2020 annual filings, 2021 annual notices and inspections, and enforcement news.

It is also available in additional languages:

11/2020 - Lead Briefing

This "Get Ahead of Lead" November 2020 Briefing provides information about Local Law 1 of 2004 compliance, exemptions, and loan programs and financing.

It is also available in additional languages:

10/2020 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This October 2020 Maintenance Bulletin provides information about One-shot deals, Heat Season, property registration, and bedbug annual reports.

It is also available in additional languages:

08/2020 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This August 2020 Maintenance Bulletin provides information about “Get Ahead of Lead” Webinars; Safe Construction Bill of Rights; Tenant Protection Plan Notice to Occupants; COVID-19 Resources for Property Owners; Building Owner updates; 2020 Census

It is also available in additional languages:

07/2020 - Lead Briefing

This "Get Ahead of Lead" Monthly Briefing: July 2020 Briefing focuses on property registration updates, HPD inspections and violations (COVID-19), updated Exemptions FAQs, and financial assistance to fix lead paint hazards

It is also available in additional languages:

06/2020 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This June 2020 Property Owners Bulletin provides information about COVID-19 updates and guidance; HPD’s new heat sensors program; lead-based paint responsibilities and requirements; window guard safety; and the United States 2020 Census

It is also available in additional languages:

04/2020 - Bulletin to Property Owners

03/2020 - Lead Briefing

This "Get Ahead of Lead" Monthly Briefing: March 2020 focuses on property owner responsibilities at turnover, annual notices and investigations follow up, HPD's "Get Ahead of Lead" webinars, and financing opportunity for lead paint repairs.

02/2020 - Bulletin to Property Owners

This February 2020 Property Owners Bulletin provides information about emergency repairs, window guards annual notice, stove knob covers annual notice, bedbug annual filing, indoor allergen hazards, the Alternative Enforcement Program, and more.

It is also available in additional languages:

01/2020 - Lead Briefing

12/2019 - Lead Briefing