N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2017.6
Department inspections (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. When entering a dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling for the purpose of investigating the existence of any violation of the code, the department shall make diligent efforts to ascertain whether there are cockroaches, mice, rats, or visible mold in the dwelling unit and shall inquire of the occupant whether cockroaches, mice, rats or mold are present in the dwelling unit. When performing such inspection, the department need only inspect those portions of the dwelling unit where furniture or other furnishings do not obstruct the view of a surface, except when there is visible evidence that causes the department to believe that the obstructed surface has visible mold or cockroaches, mice, or rats. b. In any dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling the department shall conduct an inspection pursuant to subdivision a of this section no later than thirty days after the department's receipt of a complaint describing a condition that would constitute a violation under subdivision a of section 27-2017.3 or subdivision b of section 27-2017.4 . Where the department attempts to perform an inspection of a dwelling unit within the time period required by this subdivision but is unable to gain access, the department shall provide written notice to the occupant of such dwelling unit that no further attempts at access shall be made unless a new complaint is submitted. c. Where, upon conducting an inspection, the department determines the existence of a condition constituting a violation of this article, the department shall serve a notice of violation within ten additional days of such inspection. d. The pamphlet developed by the department of health and mental hygiene pursuant to section 17-199.7 shall be left at the premises of the dwelling unit at the time of an inspection made by the department pursuant to this section. Such pamphlet shall be delivered by the department in conjunction with all notices of violation issued pursuant to paragraph one of subdivision o of section 27-2115 . Failure to include such pamphlet with such notices of violation shall not render null and void the service of such notices of violation. Such pamphlet shall also be made available to any member of the public upon request. e. During the period from October first through May thirty-first, or in the event of disaster, the time for the department to conduct an inspection as provided in subdivision b of this section may be extended if the department resources so require. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, failure by the department or the department of health and mental hygiene to comply with any time period provided in this article or section 27-2115 relating to responsibilities of the department and the department of health and mental hygiene, shall not render null and void any notice of violation issued by the department or the department of health and mental hygiene pursuant to such article or section, and shall not provide a basis for defense or mitigation of an owner's liability for civil penalties for violation of such article. (L.L. 2018/055, 1/19/2018, eff. 1/19/2019)
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2017.6 establish how the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) must conduct inspections of dwelling units in multiple dwellings for conditions such as cockroaches, mice, rats, and mold. When a qualifying complaint is received, the department is generally required to attempt an inspection within thirty days, and if a violation is found, a notice of violation must be issued within ten additional days. The rule also sets out what happens when access cannot be obtained, requires that a health department pamphlet be left at the premises, and clarifies that missed deadlines by the department do not void a notice of violation or excuse an owner from civil penalties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2017.6, property owners and managers should be aware that HPD is required to inspect for pests and mold when a qualifying complaint is filed, and that a notice of violation can follow within ten days of a confirmed inspection finding. Compliant operators generally maintain records of any access requests or written notices from the department and address underlying conditions proactively, since the provision makes clear that an agency's failure to meet its own inspection deadlines does not reduce an owner's exposure to civil penalties. Keeping units accessible and conditions remediated is consistent with the obligations this section is designed to enforce.
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 27-2017.6 give tenants in multiple dwellings the right to have HPD attempt an inspection within thirty days of filing a qualifying complaint about pests or mold. If the department cannot gain access and does not return, tenants should be aware that the provision requires HPD to provide written notice explaining that a new complaint must be submitted to trigger another inspection attempt. Tenants who believe their rights under this section have not been honored may contact HPD directly, reach out to a local tenant-rights organization, or explore filing a new complaint to restart the inspection process.
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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