N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2043
Locks in dwelling unit doors (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. The owner of a dwelling shall provide a key lock in the entrance door to each dwelling unit and at least one key. In a class A multiple dwelling such door shall be equipped with a heavy duty latch set and a heavy duty dead bolt operable by a key from the outside and a thumb-turn from the inside. b. Each dwelling unit entrance door in a class A multiple dwelling shall also be equipped with a chain door guard so as to permit partial opening of the door.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2043, dwelling owners are required to install a key lock and provide at least one key for each unit's entrance door. In Class A multiple dwellings, the law goes further, mandating a heavy-duty latch set, a deadbolt operable by key from outside and thumb-turn from inside, and a chain door guard that allows the door to be opened partially without fully unlocking it. These requirements establish a baseline level of physical security that applies to each individual dwelling unit entrance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers overseeing Class A multiple dwellings generally maintain compliance with N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2043 by ensuring every unit entrance door is fitted with a functioning heavy-duty latch set, a deadbolt meeting the code's specifications, and a chain door guard. Compliant operators also supply at least one key per unit at the time of occupancy and replace or repair any of these hardware components promptly when they fail or are reported as defective. Keeping records of hardware installations and repairs can support a showing of ongoing compliance during inspections.
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 et seq. § 27-2043 gives tenants in Class A multiple dwellings the right to an entrance door equipped with a heavy-duty latch set, a deadbolt, a chain door guard, and at least one key. If any of these required security features are missing or broken, tenants may report the condition to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which has authority to inspect and cite violations. Tenant-rights organizations can also provide general information about how to document a complaint or raise a housing maintenance violation as part of a broader housing proceeding.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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