NYC heat season guide for landlords
Heat season in New York City started on October 1. If you own or manage a residential building, these are the rules, what happens when they are not met, and what to do when the boiler fails.
What the law requires
| Requirement | When | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime heat | October 1 to May 31, 6am to 10pm, when it is below 55°F outside | 68°F inside |
| Overnight heat | October 1 to May 31, 10pm to 6am, any outdoor temperature | 62°F inside |
| Hot water | All year, 24 hours a day | 120°F at the tap |
What happens if tenants lose heat or hot water
Tenants can report no heat or no hot water through 311. If an HPD inspector confirms the condition, the building receives a Class C, immediately hazardous violation. The owner must restore service within 24 hours.
Civil penalties accrue daily from the day the violation is posted: $250 to $500 per day for an initial heat or hot water violation, and $500 to $1,000 per day for a repeat violation at the same building within two years. HPD can also make emergency repairs itself and bill the owner. Rules and amounts can change, so confirm current details with HPD.
When the boiler fails: what to do
- Check the simple things. The emergency switch, the breaker, the thermostat, and on steam boilers the water level in the sight glass.
- Do not keep resetting. Repeated resets on a locked-out boiler can flood the combustion chamber with fuel. If it locks out twice, stop.
- Call a licensed plumber immediately. Tell the dispatcher it is a no-heat call in a residential building.
- Tell tenants what is happening and when you expect heat back. Keep a written record of the call time, arrival and repair.
- Keep the paperwork. Repair invoices help show you acted promptly if a complaint is filed.
Prevent the call before winter
Our winter heating maintenance checklist goes through every item below in detail.
- Have the boiler cleaned and serviced before heat season, including a combustion test and a check of safety controls.
- On steam systems, check and replace failed main and radiator vents.
- On hot water systems, check the expansion tank and bleed air from the loop.
- Check water heaters for rust, leaks and a dripping relief valve. A water heater that fails in January is a hot water violation.
Our annual boiler maintenance plan covers the pre-season service and gives you priority dispatch. If the boiler is already failing, see boiler repair.
Questions
When is heat season in NYC?
October 1 through May 31.
What temperature must a NYC apartment be in winter?
At least 68°F from 6am to 10pm when it is below 55°F outside, and at least 62°F from 10pm to 6am regardless of outdoor temperature.
What is the minimum hot water temperature in NYC?
120°F at the tap, all year.
What is the fine for no heat in NYC?
$250 to $500 per day for an initial violation and $500 to $1,000 per day for a repeat within two years, starting when the violation is posted.