Harlem
Historic Black cultural capital experiencing renaissance and development.
Harlem Building Violation Profile
Measured from HPD violations and 311 complaints filed in the 12 months to September 2026, matched to this area's buildings. Use it to set expectations before you sign or hire.
Rodent complaints ran 15.7 per 1,000 apartments, above the citywide 8.8.
Heat and hot water complaints in Harlem ran 260.1 per 1,000 apartments over that year, above the citywide 125.7.
The median Harlem apartment building went up in 1910, 59.9% of apartments sit in buildings from before 1940 (citywide 45.8%), and 35.9% are in buildings of five floors or fewer (citywide 37.1%).
Most common HPD issues in Harlem
HPD issued 49.3 violations per 100 apartments in Harlem over the 12 months to September 2026, above the citywide 30.1. Immediately hazardous Class C conditions ran 17.1 per 100 apartments against 9.2 citywide, and 27.4% of buildings recorded none.
Area figures describe 2,946 buildings holding 60,268 apartments, so check the specific address before you sign: one building's record can sit far from its neighborhood's average.
What the Records Show in Harlem
Buildings in Harlem averaged 49.3 HPD violations per 100 apartments over the 12 months to September 2026, above the citywide 30.1. Immediately hazardous Class C conditions ran 17.1 per 100 apartments against 9.2 citywide, and 27.4% of buildings recorded none at all.
| Measure | Harlem | Citywide |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment buildings | 2,946 | 172,071 |
| Apartments | 60,268 | 2,846,490 |
| HPD violations per 100 apartments | 49.3 | 30.1 |
| Class C (immediately hazardous) per 100 | 17.1 | 9.2 |
| Buildings with no violations | 27.4% | 45.3% |
| Apartments in pre-1940 buildings | 59.9% | 45.8% |
| Apartments in buildings of 5 floors or fewer | 35.9% | 37.1% |
| Median year built | 1910 | n/a |
Figures cover buildings with three or more apartments in Harlem (South), Harlem (North), using HPD violations inspected in the 12 months to September 2026 and city lot records. Citywide figures use the same method. Search a specific address for that building’s own record.
Services in Harlem
Each service page is tailored to Harlem’s building stock and common violation patterns.
Violation-Linked Repairs
For when Harlem buildings already have open violations
Pre-Lease & Investigation
Audit a Harlem building before you commit
Move-In Essentials
For after you’ve checked the building
Building Stock & Character
Brownstones, pre-war apartments, new developments, public housing
Rich cultural history, strong community, improving amenities
2/3 (Lenox), A/B/C/D (various), 4/5/6 (Lexington)
Rapid gentrification, varying block-by-block conditions