How to Look Up Building Violations on HPD Online

Did you know NYC property owners face over 200,000 building violations annually, per HPD records, potentially costing thousands in fines?

In a city of aging structures, uncovering hidden violations safeguards your investment and ensures compliance. This guide walks you through accessing the HPD portal, searching by address, BIN, or BBL, interpreting results-from open Class C hazards to dismissed infractions-and taking decisive action.

Master these steps to stay ahead-what violations lurk on your property?

Property Address Details

Use NYC's official address format: [House Number] [Street Name], [Borough] [ZIP]. This standard ensures accurate results when you perform a violation search on the HPD website. Proper formatting helps the HPD online portal match your query to the right property records.

Always enter the house number and street name in uppercase letters. Include the borough abbreviation followed by the five-digit ZIP code. This matches the format used in the HPD violation database for building violations and housing violations.

Here are five common address formatting examples for NYC properties:

• 123 Main St becomes 123 MAIN ST, BX 10451
• 456 Broadway becomes 456 BROADWAY, MN 10007
• 789 Atlantic Ave becomes 789 ATLANTIC AVE, BK 11217
• 101 Queens Blvd becomes 101 QUEENS BLVD, QN 11375
• 202 Richmond Ave becomes 202 RICHMOND AVE, SI 10312

Common borough abbreviations include BX for Bronx, MN for Manhattan, BK for Brooklyn, QN for Queens, and SI for Staten Island. For precise standardization, consider the NYC Address Standardizer tool available through city resources. This step improves your online lookup for open violations, closed violations, and violation history.

BIN or House Number

BINs uniquely identify 1.2M NYC structures in an 8-digit format. The first two digits represent the borough, such as 1 for Manhattan, 2 for the Bronx, 3 for Brooklyn, 4 for Queens, and 5 for Staten Island. This structure helps pinpoint exact buildings for HPD violation searches.

To find a BIN, use the DOB BIS system, or Building Information System, maintained by the Department of Buildings. Search by property address, including house number, street name, and zip code. NYC Open Data portals also offer free BIN lookups through public datasets on buildings and lots.

If BIN lookup fails, switch to the house number fallback protocol on the HPD website. Enter the full address directly into the online violation inquiry tool. This method accesses violation records like open violations, closed violations, and violation history without needing a BIN.

Here are three examples of the fallback protocol. For a Brooklyn brownstone, input 123 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 to check class B violations such as illegal occupancy. In Queens, try 456 Elm Avenue, Queens, NY 11354 for boiler violations and heat complaints. For a Manhattan apartment, use 789 Pine Road, Manhattan, NY 10001 to review lead paint violations and ECB violations.

Enter Borough and Street

Use the dropdown menus for borough selection: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island. This ensures accurate NYC HPD searches for building violations. Select your borough first to narrow down the online lookup results.

Next, enter the street name in the exact format required by the HPD website. Use full names like AVENUE instead of abbreviations such as Av or Ave. Common errors include shortening suffixes, so always spell out ST, AVE, or PL.

For borough entry, type in all caps without nicknames: BROOKLYN not BK. Here are five practical examples for the street field: 1ST AVENUE, MAIN STREET, PARK PLACE, BROADWAY, FLATBUSH AVENUE. These formats help access violation records and property violations quickly.

After entering the borough and street name, include the house number for precise search by address. This step pulls up relevant open violations, closed violations, and violation history from the HPD online portal. Double-check entries to avoid mismatched results in the violation search.

Specify House Number and Apartment

House number ranges work: 120-130 catches multi-unit building violations across addresses in that sequence. This feature on the HPD website helps narrow your online lookup for property violations. Enter the range to pull up relevant violation records efficiently.

Use wildcards (*) for broader searches, like 120* to match variations such as 120A or 120 Main. This is useful when exact house numbers are unclear in HPD violation database. Combine it with street name for precise violation search results.

For apartments, format as 3A or 1st FL to target specific units. Apartment-specific violations auto-filter, showing only those tied to the entered space. This refines your view of open violations or closed violations in multi-family buildings.

Start with house number and apartment details after selecting borough and street name. Review violation status, issuance date, and correction date in the results. This method supports thorough NYC HPD violation tracking for property owners or agents.

Open vs. Closed Violations

In NYC, there were 18,742 open violations citywide as of February 2024. Open violations remain active on the HPD website, accruing daily fines until corrected. Property owners must address these through the online violation inquiry to track compliance status.

Closed violations, on the other hand, show that corrections have been verified by HPD inspectors. You can distinguish them easily with color coding: red for open and green for closed in the violation search results. This helps during your HPD online lookup to assess property violations quickly.

Review the violation status for details like issuance date, correction date, and penalty amount. For example, an open heat hot water complaint stays red until fixed and certified. Use search by property address, BBL, or violation number to filter open vs. closed violations.

Generate a violation report or request a certificate of correction for closed items via the HPD portal. Track violation history to spot patterns, such as repeated class B violations. This supports informed decisions on property inspection and resolution.

Class A, B, and C Violations

Class C violations carry the highest fines, often starting at $2,000. These severe infractions pose immediate risks to health and safety in NYC properties. Property owners must address them quickly to avoid escalating penalties.

The HPD online portal classifies building violations into A, B, and C categories based on hazard level. Use the violation search by entering property address, BBL, or violation number. This helps identify class A violations, class B violations, and class C violations during your lookup.

Class A examples include minor plumbing leaks or small cracks in walls. Class B might cover faulty electrical wiring or rodent infestations. Class C often involves immediately hazardous issues like structural collapses or illegal occupancy beyond certificate of occupancy limits.

Check violation status on the HPD website for open, closed, or dismissed violations. Note the issuance date, correction date, and penalty amount to track compliance. Request a certificate of correction after fixes to clear records.

Violation Description

Descriptions use NYC Housing Maintenance Code sections. These codes appear in HPD violation records to specify the issue. Common examples include heat, pests, and plumbing problems.

Look for codes like HMC 27-2005 during your online lookup. This refers to inadequate heat in buildings. It helps property owners understand compliance requirements.

Other frequent codes cover pests under HMC 27-2017 and plumbing under HMC 27-2026. These appear in violation descriptions on the HPD website. Knowing them aids in tracking open violations or closed violations.

Use the table below to decode these and similar codes quickly. Match the code to its meaning for better violation tracking. This step clarifies the nature of housing violations at a property address.

Refer to this lookup table when reviewing violation history by BBL or house number. It simplifies understanding class A violations, class B violations, and more. Experts recommend checking descriptions against property records for full context.

Issued Date and Due Date

The 14-day correction period is standard for Class B/C violations on HPD records. Property owners must address these within that timeframe to avoid further issues. Check the issued date on the HPD online portal to calculate deadlines accurately.

Different violation classes have specific timeline rules. Class A violations allow 30 days for correction, while Emergency or hazardous violations demand action in 24-72 hours. Late fees accrue daily if owners miss the due date, impacting compliance status.

To track these dates during your online lookup, enter the property address, BBL, or violation number in the HPD website's Building Information System. The results show issuance date, correction date, and any extensions. For example, a Class C plumbing violation might list a due date 14 days from issuance.

• Review issued date to note when HPD posted the NOV.
• Confirm due date based on class: 30 days for Class A, 14 for B/C, immediate for emergencies.
• Monitor violation status for open violations nearing the deadline.
• Note daily late fees in the penalty amount section.

Understanding these timelines helps with violation tracking and requesting a certificate of correction promptly. Use the HPD portal's public access for violation history, including dismissed or vacated cases.

Penalty Amounts

Average Class B fine is $625 per HPD 2023. Property owners face fines based on violation class and timing of correction. Knowing these structures helps during your HPD online lookup.

Class A violations are less severe, like minor housing code issues. Fines start lower but increase if not fixed promptly. Use the HPD website to check violation description and penalty amount.

Class B and Class C violations carry higher penalties, especially for hazardous conditions. Emergency or immediately hazardous violations demand quick action to avoid escalation. Track issuance date and correction date in your violation search.

ECB hearings add a 25% surcharge to the base fine. Payment is due within 30 days post-decision. Search ECB violations online to review hearing date and total fine payment obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Look Up Building Violations on HPD Online?

To look up building violations on HPD Online, visit the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) website at nyc.gov/hpd, navigate to the "Buildings" section, select "Search Buildings," and enter the property's address, block, and lot (BBL) number, or borough, to view any open or closed violations listed for that property.

What Information Do I Need to Look Up Building Violations on HPD Online?

When looking up building violations on HPD Online, you'll need the property's address, borough, block, and lot (BBL) number, or you can search by house number and street name. This information is typically found on property records or tax documents.

Are There Any Fees to Look Up Building Violations on HPD Online?

No, looking up building violations on HPD Online is completely free. The HPD Online portal provides public access to violation records without any charges or subscriptions required.

Can I Look Up Building Violations on HPD Online for Any NYC Property?

Yes, you can look up building violations on HPD Online for most residential and commercial properties in New York City that fall under HPD jurisdiction, including details on violations issued for housing code infractions like heat, hot water, or structural issues.

How Current Is the Data When I Look Up Building Violations on HPD Online?

Data on HPD Online for building violations is updated regularly, typically within a few days of issuance or resolution, but for the most current status, cross-reference with DOB NOW or contact HPD directly if needed.

What Should I Do After Looking Up Building Violations on HPD Online?

After looking up building violations on HPD Online, review open violations for severity (Class A, B, C), certification status, and deadlines. Landlords can schedule corrections, while tenants may file complaints or request inspections if violations persist.