HPD
Heat and hot water
From October 1 to May 31, apartments have to be warm enough day and night, and hot water runs at 120°F all year.
The clock
When it comes due
- Heat season: October 1 to May 31
- Day, 6 AM to 10 PM: 68°F inside when it is below 55°F outside
- Night, 10 PM to 6 AM: 62°F inside
- Hot water: 120°F, all year
Now
If the heat is out building-wide
Since August 25, 2026, under a directive of the Civil Court’s Administrative Judge, Housing Court cases with an immediately hazardous Class C violation for no heat, hot water, electricity, gas or water in a third or more of the apartments, or the whole building, get a judge the day they’re filed, and no more than five days to appear after service.
- Who it applies to
- Residential buildings. The owner provides heat during heat season and hot water all year
- When
- Heat season runs October 1 to May 31
- From 6 AM to 10 PM, when it is below 55°F outside, apartments must be at least 68°F
- From 10 PM to 6 AM, at least 62°F, whatever the weather
- Hot water at a constant 120°F or more, every day of the year
- Who does it
- The owner, usually through the super and the boiler service. HPD inspects when tenants complain
- What happens next
- A heat or hot water violation must be corrected within 24 hours
- Penalties are $250 to $500 a day for an initial violation and $500 to $1,000 a day for later ones at the same building, plus a $200 fee for each inspection after the first two that finds a heat violation
- Some owners can settle an eligible violation with a $250 payment made within 10 days, with a timely Notice of Correction
What Stoop does
- Heat season on the calendar, with a reminder before October 1
- An alert when a heat or hot water complaint or violation posts
- The super’s checks and the fix, dated on the building’s record
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