N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2008
Owner's right of access (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
No tenant shall refuse to permit the owner, or his or her agent or employee, to enter such tenant's dwelling unit or other space under his or her control to make repairs or improvements required by this code or other law or to inspect such apartment or other space to determine compliance with this code or any other provision of law, if the right of entry is exercised at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. The department may by regulation restrict the time and manner of such inspections.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2008, tenants are not permitted to block an owner, or the owner's authorized agent or employee, from entering a dwelling unit to carry out legally required repairs, improvements, or compliance inspections. The right of entry must be exercised at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. The relevant city department retains authority to issue regulations that further define or limit when and how such inspections may occur.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2008, compliant property owners and managers generally schedule entry for repairs, improvements, or inspections at times that are reasonable given the tenant's circumstances, and communicate the purpose of entry clearly. Operators typically document the reason for access and ensure that any agent or employee entering on their behalf does so in a manner consistent with the code's reasonableness standard. Staying current with any departmental regulations that further restrict entry timing or procedures is a standard part of managing properties subject to this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2008 establish that while tenants cannot unreasonably refuse entry for legally required repairs or inspections, the owner's right of access is conditioned on entry occurring at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. Tenants who believe an owner is attempting entry outside those conditions, or in a harassing or unreasonable way, may have grounds to raise that concern as a defense or to file a complaint with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York City housing law can help explain what options are generally available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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