What Do I Do If My NYC Apartment Has No Heat?

January 10, 2026

It's freezing in your NYC apartment, and the heat's gone AWOL-right when you need it most!

Tip: Want to sanity-check a specific address? Search it on Building Health X to see recent heat/hot water, pests, noise, safety and violations across 30/90 days, 1 year and 3 years.

Don't panic: NYC's strict heat laws demand landlords keep your place at least 68 degreesF daytime. This guide covers knowing the rules, documenting proof, contacting your landlord, reporting to 311, safe temp fixes, and your rights like repair-and-deduct.

Stay warm-discover how to fight back now!

Understanding NYC Heat Laws

NYC's Local Law 38 mandates landlords maintain minimum heat levels from October 31 to May 31, protecting tenants from freezing conditions. These rules cover the heating season NYC to ensure safe living in cold winters. They exist to prevent health risks like hypothermia in cold apartment NYC situations.

The NYC Housing Preservation & Development receives 15,000+ annual heat complaints, highlighting common issues with no heat in NYC apartments. Tenants facing winter no heat NYC problems can report via 311 for quick action. Landlords must comply or face fines for heat ordinance violations.

During this period, check outdoor temperatures to know your tenant rights. Use a thermometer for proof when filing a 311 complaint. Understanding these laws enables you against landlord no heat fix delays.

Local Law 38 applies to most buildings, including [rent stabilized](/blog/how-do-i-know-if-my-nyc-apartment-is-rent-stabilized) heat rights and NYCHA properties. Report radiator not working or boiler broken issues promptly. This framework supports emergency heat repair needs.

Minimum Temperature Requirements

Landlords must provide 68 degreesF when outdoor temperature is 55 degreesF or below, dropping to 62 degreesF when outdoor temps are 42 degreesF-55 degreesF. These NYC winter heat requirements are strict during October 31 to May 31. Measure inside your unit to document minimum heat temperature failures.

Outdoor Temperature	Minimum Indoor Temperature
55 degreesF or below	68 degreesF
Between 42 degreesF and 55 degreesF	62 degreesF

NYC Health Code Section 173.13 states landlords shall maintain heat so every occupied room reaches these levels between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. HPD issues violation fines from $250 to $2,000 per HPD violation. Take photos of your thermometer next to a window for evidence, like showing 62 degrees cold indoors on a 50 degreesF day.

If your NYC apartment has no heat, track temperatures hourly. This proves heat no working for complaints. Experts recommend logging data to support rent abatement no heat claims.

Landlord Responsibilities

Landlords must maintain working heating systems, respond within 24 hours for emergencies, and fix violations within 72 hours per HPD rules. This covers landlord responsibilities under Multiple Dwelling Law 78, with fines up to $10,000 for failures. Call the building superintendent first for super call on issues like thermostat broken.

Maintain boilers and radiators in good repair, fixing leaks or blockages quickly.
Provide 24hr emergency response for total heat loss, like gas outages.
Address HPD violation fixes within 72hrs, including temporary heat if needed.
Ensure common area heat meets standards in hallways and lobbies.
Guarantee individual unit compliance, regardless of co-op or condo status.

Failure triggers emergency repair obligations, such as calling an emergency plumber heat. Tenants in rent controlled apartment heat or Section 8 have extra protections. Document super not responding to build your case.

For HVAC emergency or furnace repair NYC, landlords cover costs. Report persistent steam radiator leak or pilot light out as habitability issues. This upholds NYC heat law fully.

Immediate Steps to Take

Act fast: Document temperatures, notify your super or landlord, and call 311 if no response within 4 hours. The first 24 hours create a critical window for resolving no heat in your NYC apartment. HPD emergency response times prioritize heat complaints during the heating season from October 31 to May 31.

Landlords face strict NYC heat law requirements under Local Law 38, mandating minimum heat temperatures of 62 degrees when outdoor temps hit 55 degrees or below, rising to 68 degrees. Documentation builds legal leverage for tenant rights, including rent abatement or emergency repairs. HPD data from 2023 shows 85% of documented complaints resolved faster.

Report no heat via 311 for an HPD violation ticket, triggering inspections for radiator not working or boiler broken issues. Building superintendent or super calls start the process, but unresponsive landlords prompt 311 complaints. This protects against constructive eviction claims in cold apartment situations during NYC winter.

Prepare for emergency heat repair by noting common issues like steam radiator leaks or thermostat broken. Track super not responding to establish urgency. Legal aid from tenant hotlines strengthens your position for habitability law enforcement.

Document the Issue

Take timestamped photos of your thermostat reading below 62 degreesF using your iPhone's level tool plus weather app screenshot. This proves violation of minimum heat temperature standards in your NYC apartment. Indoor temps must stay at 68 degrees during colder periods under NYC heat requirements.

Follow these numbered steps for solid documentation that supports 311 complaints and HPD heat violations.

Photograph the thermostat showing temps under 62 degrees cold, with timestamps enabled.
Compare indoor and outdoor temperatures using a weather app for context on heat ordinance violations.
Record a video walk-through of radiators not working, boiler issues, or building heat system problems.
Maintain a daily log of temperatures and communications in a simple template.
Obtain a medical note if children, elderly, or pets face hypothermia risk or frostbite in freezing apartments.

Use this sample documentation checklist to stay organized: date/time stamps, photo evidence, witness statements from neighbors, and copies of super calls or landlord notices. This log aids housing court NYC cases or rent withholding for no heat. Experts recommend it for proving landlord no heat fix negligence.

For rent stabilized or NYCHA heat complaints, detailed records speed emergency repair timelines. Include notes on child safety no heat or elderly heat vulnerability. Secure free legal advice from tenant unions to leverage your evidence effectively.

Contact Your Landlord

Verbal complaints about no heat in your NYC apartment often go ignored. Written notice starts legal timelines under the Warranty of Habitability in NY Real Property Law 235-b. This law requires landlords to keep units livable, including providing heat during the heating season NYC from October 31 to May 31.

Send written notice within 24 hours using certified mail or email with read receipt to create your paper trail. Include details like the temperature, start date, and demand for emergency repair. CC the building superintendent, managing agent, and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

If your radiator not working or boiler is broken, specify it's an emergency heat repair. Demand response within 24 hours per NYC heat law. Track all communications to support later steps like rent abatement or housing court.

Landlords have tenant rights obligations under Local Law 38 for minimum 68 degrees heat. Failure triggers heat violations. Written notice protects against landlord harassment or retaliation.

What to Say and Send

Use this exact email template: My apartment at [address] has been 58 degreesF since [date]. Per Local Law 38, you must provide 68 degreesF heat immediately. Customize brackets with your details. Add: This is an emergency repair. Respond within 24 hours or I will file a 311 complaint and seek rent abatement.

Send via certified mail with USPS tracking for proof. Template letter: To [Landlord Name/Company], Re: No heat at [address]. Heat has not worked since [date]. Provide temporary heat or emergency plumber heat now. CC: [Super email], [Managing agent], HPD. Demand 24hr response.

Subject: Urgent - Emergency Heat Repair Required at [Address]
Body: Describe issue (e.g., thermostat broken, steam radiator leak).
Attach photos of thermometer, radiator.
CC: super@[building].com, agent@[company].com, 311@nyc.gov.

Track responses with this simple spreadsheet idea: columns for Date Sent, Method, Recipient, Response Date, Notes. Use for HPD violation follow-up or tenant hotline calls. If super not responding, escalate to file 311 heat complaint immediately.

Report to 311

Call 311 or use the 311 app immediately after notifying your landlord if your NYC apartment has no heat. NYC's 311 service acts as the central complaint system and routes heat issues directly to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). HPD handles these as urgent matters during the heating season from October 31 to May 31.

In 2023, residents made 28,000 heat calls, with 92% inspected within 72 hours. This shows how seriously the city takes heat violations under Local Law 38, which requires landlords to maintain minimum heat temperatures of 68 degrees daytime and 62 degrees nighttime. Reporting prompts quick action on landlord responsibilities.

After your call, HPD responds to emergency heat complaints within 4 hours. They inspect for issues like broken boilers, radiator problems, or thermostat failures. Tenants gain protections against constructive eviction or habitability violations when they file.

Use the 311 app to track your complaint and check for HPD violations later. This step enforces tenant rights and can lead to emergency repairs or rent abatement for no heat.

Emergency Heat Complaints

Dial 311 and say "emergency no heat", then provide your address, thermostat reading, and mention children or elderly for priority response. This flags your NYC apartment no heat issue as urgent under city heat laws. Operators log details like minimum heat temperature failures quickly.

Sample phone script: "Emergency heat complaint at [your address], temperature 56 degreesF with children present." Stay calm and repeat key facts if needed. The 311 mobile app offers a simple form with fields for building details, super contact, and photos of cold radiators.

What happens next follows a clear timeline: your call triggers HPD dispatch within 4 hours, followed by inspection in 24 hours, and violation posting within 72 hours. Inspectors check the building heat system, common areas, and individual units for issues like steam radiator leaks or pilot lights out.

Call 311: Immediate logging of heat complaint.
HPD arrives: Verifies temperature below 62 degrees.
Violation issued: Posted on-site, visible to landlord.
Follow-up: Track via NYC Open Data for HPD violation lookup.

If the super is not responding, this process pressures emergency heat repair. It protects against hypothermia risks in freezing apartments during NYC winter.

Follow Up on Reports

Track your 311 complaint using NYC's HPD Online violation lookup. Search by address to monitor inspector visits and violation status. This helps ensure your report about no heat gets attention from the city.

Save the complaint number from your initial 311 call right away. Use it to reference your case when checking updates. Keeping records protects your tenant rights during the heating season from October 31 to May 31.

Visit HPD Online at hpdonline.nyc.gov and enter your building address in the search bar. Look for any Notice of Violation (NOV) or inspector notes. Check daily to stay on top of progress for issues like a broken boiler or radiator not working.

If no inspector arrives within 48 hours, call 311 again for a status update. Screenshot all screens showing updates or lack of action. These records support further steps like rent abatement or housing court if the landlord ignores NYC heat law.

Save your 311 complaint number immediately after filing the no heat report.
Search your address on HPD Online daily for NOV and inspector activity.
Screenshot every update, including dates and details, for your records.
Call 311 if no response in 48 hours, referencing your complaint number.
Share screenshots with tenant hotline or legal aid if needed for emergency repair demands.

For example, a screenshot might show an open heat violation with an inspector's note like "No heat detected, boiler issue confirmed." This proves landlord responsibilities under Local Law 38 for minimum heat temperature of 68 degrees. Use it to push for temporary heat or emergency plumber heat fixes.

Temporary Heat Solutions

While waiting for repairs, use safe temporary heat but know NYC fire codes prohibit certain space heaters in apartments. The FDNY issues strong safety warnings about space heater risks, noting 450 space heater fires in 2023 data. Landlords have a 72-hour repair window under NYC heat law for non-emergency issues during heating season from October 31 to May 31.

Legal warming alternatives include UL-certified devices with safety features like tip-over switches. Always place heaters on stable surfaces away from flammable items such as curtains or bedding. Never leave them unattended to avoid carbon monoxide heat risk or fire hazards in your NYC apartment.

During emergency heat repair delays, check tenant rights for rent abatement if heat stays below 62 degrees. Report no heat via 311 for an HPD violation, and track the ticket. Warming centers offer free shelter heat if your apartment remains freezing.

Bundle up with layers to combat hypothermia risk NYC style, and use draft blockers for quick insulation. Experts recommend combining methods for safety while pushing landlord responsibilities. This keeps you warm until the building heat system is fixed.

Safe Portable Options

Use UL-certified ceramic space heaters like Lasko 754200 ($29 at Target) with auto-shutoff, never leaving them unattended. These have tip-over protection vital for NYC apartment safety. Position them at least three feet from furniture or rugs.

Other reliable choices include Honeywell HCE100 ($35, 360 degrees heating) and Vornado VH200 ($59, whole-room circulation). All feature space heater safety mechanisms approved by FDNY guidelines. Plug directly into wall outlets, avoiding extension cords.

Model	Price	Key Features
Lasko 754200	$29	Ceramic, tip-over switch
Honeywell HCE100	$35	360 degrees heating, auto-off
Vornado VH200	$59	Whole-room, safe thermostat

FDNY prohibits open-flame heaters, unvented gas models, or those without certification. For DIY solutions, make draft blockers from rolled towels under doors, or hang thermal curtains ($15 on Amazon) over windows. These trap heat without fire risks in cold apartments.

Check electric blanket safety for beds, using ones with automatic shutoff. Borrow a space heater from neighbors if needed, or visit NYC warming centers, public libraries, or subway stations as warm spots. Always prioritize ventilation to prevent pipe freeze risk or mold from cold.

Know Your Legal Rights

NYC tenants can legally withhold rent or repair-and-deduct when landlords violate heat requirements under Warranty of Habitability. This protection comes from Real Property Law 235-b, which ensures apartments meet basic standards like minimum heat temperature during the heating season NYC from October 31 to May 31. Under Local Law 38 and NYC heat law, landlords must provide heat at least 68 degrees indoors when outdoor temperature is below 55 degrees, or 62 degrees when below 40 degrees.

The NY Court of Appeals has upheld these rights in cases like Park West Village Associates v. Nishio, affirming tenants' remedies after proper notice for heat violation. First, give written notice to your landlord responsibilities or building superintendent via certified mail. If no fix within 24-72 hours, report no heat via 311 complaint to trigger HPD violation.

Remedies include rent abatement no heat, court-ordered repairs, or even constructive eviction if conditions make the apartment unlivable, such as a freezing apartment risking hypothermia risk NYC. Consult free legal advice from Legal Aid Society or tenant hotline before acting. Keep records of radiator not working, boiler broken, or thermostat broken issues to strengthen your case in Housing Court NYC.

For rent stabilized heat rights or NYCHA heat complaints, additional protections apply. Vulnerable tenants, like those with children or elderly facing child safety no heat, can seek emergency protective order heat. Always prioritize safety amid carbon monoxide heat risk or pipe freeze risk.

Repair and Deduct

After 24hr written notice, hire a licensed plumber like Emergency Plumber NYC at $250-450 and deduct from rent up to one month's rent. This emergency repair method fixes issues like steam radiator leak or pilot light out when super not responding. Provide notice detailing the heat no working problem and allow time for landlord response.

Send 24hr written notice to landlord and super via certified mail.
Get 3 plumber quotes from services like Emergency Plumber NYC or Rapid Emergency Plumber.
Pay for emergency heat repair, obtain receipts, and complete the work.
Deduct costs with an itemized statement attached to your rent payment.
Keep all copies for 2 years in case of disputes.

This approach suits individual unit heat problems in rent controlled apartment heat or co-op heat issues. For example, if your furnace repair NYC costs $400 due to a gas outage, deduct it fully if under the limit. Experts recommend using licensed pros to avoid space heater safety risks with temporary fixes.

Avoid using this for building heat system failures; instead, push for HVAC emergency via HPD. In Section 8 heat requirements, notify your caseworker first. Track via HPD heat violation lookup app for proof.

Withholding Rent

Withhold 100% of rent after documented 72hr HPD violation using an escrow account, with Chase Bank recommended for tenants. This enforces landlord no heat fix for persistent winter no heat NYC issues like common area heat outages. First, document via file 311 heat and wait for inspection confirming violation.

Document HPD violation with 311 ticket number and photos of cold apartment NYC.
Open a rent escrow account at a bank like Chase.
Send written notice of withholding to landlord explaining the heat ordinance violation.
Deposit full rent monthly into escrow until fixed.
File in Housing Court NYC for rent abatement no heat, often resulting in reductions.

In court, request abatement for NYC winter heat requirements breaches, as seen in cases awarding relief for months of minimum heat temperature failures. Use a doctor's note for medical bill heat related claims or elderly heat vulnerability. Tenants in public housing no heat or illegal sublets gain leverage this way.

Join a tenant union NYC for support, or seek NYC Bar Association pro bono help with petitions. This beats emergency rent strike risks and covers pet heat danger or frostbite apartment harms. Monitor progress with open data heat complaints for your building rating heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do I Do If My NYC Apartment Has No Heat?

If your NYC apartment has no heat, first check your lease and NYC law requires landlords to provide heat during the heating season (October 1 to May 31). Minimum temperatures are 68 degreesF from 6 AM to 10 PM and 62 degreesF overnight when outdoor temps are below 55 degreesF. Document the issue with photos, videos, and temperature readings, then immediately notify your landlord in writing via email or certified mail. If no response in 24 hours, call 311 to report it to the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), which can inspect and fine landlords.

What are the legal heat requirements for NYC apartments?

Under NYC Local Law 56, during the heating season (Oct 1-May 31), landlords must maintain indoor heat at least 62 degreesF anytime if outdoor temp is below 55 degreesF, and 68 degreesF from 6 AM-10 PM if below 68 degreesF outside. What Do I Do If My NYC Apartment Has No Heat? Measure with a thermometer, keep records, notify landlord promptly, and escalate to 311/HPD if unresolved within 24 hours for violations.

How do I report no heat in my NYC apartment to authorities?

Call 311 or use the 311 app/online portal to file a heat complaint with HPD. Provide your address, description of the issue, and evidence like photos. HPD will send an inspector within days. What Do I Do If My NYC Apartment Has No Heat? First notify your landlord in writing, allow 24 hours, then report-fines start at $250-$500 per violation, escalating with repeats.

Can I withhold rent if my NYC apartment has no heat?

Yes, but carefully: After notifying landlord and HPD, if no heat persists, you may repair and deduct costs (up to one month's rent, two-year limit) or apply to housing court for rent abatement. Consult a tenant lawyer or Legal Aid first. What Do I Do If My NYC Apartment Has No Heat? Avoid self-help without documentation to prevent eviction-prioritize official complaints via 311.

What should I do immediately if my NYC apartment loses heat at night?

Check thermostat, fuses, and vents first for simple fixes. If not, email/text landlord urgently with evidence. Layer up, use safe space heaters (if allowed), and stay with friends if dangerous. What Do I Do If My NYC Apartment Has No Heat? Report to 311 for emergency response if temps drop below legal minimums, especially with vulnerable household members like kids or elderly.

Who do I contact for help with no heat in NYC rent-stabilized apartments?

Contact your landlord first, then NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Division of Housing and Community Renewal at 718-739-6400 or online for rent-stabilized issues. Also report to 311/HPD. What Do I Do If My NYC Apartment Has No Heat? Stabilized tenants have extra protections-HPD violations can lead to rent reductions via "rent withholding" after repeated failures.