N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2096.1
Application forms; languages required (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Application form. The term "application form" means any application form or corresponding instruction materials that the department uses to select persons to whom it will provide services. Mandatory language. The term "mandatory language" means English and any covered language, as defined by subdivision j of section 8-1002*. * Editor's note: Repealed. For current provisions, see Title 21, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1 . Optional language. The term "optional language" means any language other than a mandatory language. b. The department shall make all application forms available in all mandatory languages. c. The department may make application forms available in any optional language. d. The department shall provide a notice with all application forms that such application forms are available in all mandatory languages and any optional language used pursuant to subdivision c of this section. Such notice shall be written in all mandatory languages and any optional language in which application forms are provided pursuant to this section. e. The department shall prominently display, on its website and in portions of its offices that are open to the public, notices that application forms are available in all mandatory languages and any optional language in which application forms are provided pursuant to this section. (L.L. 2017/207, 3/18/2017, eff. 7/16/2017)
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2096.1, the relevant city department is required to make its application forms and related instruction materials available in English and all "covered languages" as defined by the city's language access law. The department must also include a notice with every application form explaining which languages are available, and that notice itself must appear in all required languages. Additionally, the department must post prominent notices about language availability on its website and in public-facing office spaces.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who interact with the city department covered by §§ 27-2001 and 27-2096.1 should be aware that the department is obligated to provide application forms in multiple languages, including all mandatory languages defined under the city's language access framework. Operators who assist residents in navigating department services can inform them that multilingual forms and notices are a legal requirement, not a discretionary offering. Familiarity with this provision can help property managers direct residents with limited English proficiency to the appropriate language resources when department applications are involved.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under §§ 27-2001 and 27-2096.1, tenants have a right to receive city department application forms in English and any covered language as defined by New York City's language access law, and the department must post and distribute notices about this availability. If a tenant finds that the department is not offering forms in a required language, this provision establishes a clear legal obligation that may be raised as a concern with the department directly or through a tenant-rights organization. Tenants can also check the department's website, which is required to prominently display information about which languages are supported.
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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