When you search a building on StreetSmart, you'll see HPD violations prominently displayed. But what do these violations actually mean? NYC's Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has issued over 10.5 million violations since record-keeping began. Understanding them can help you avoid problem buildings—and know your rights if you're already living in one.
What Are HPD Violations?
HPD violations are citations issued by New York City's Housing Preservation and Development agency when a building fails to meet the requirements of the NYC Housing Maintenance Code. These violations are issued after an inspection—usually triggered by a tenant complaint to 311.
When a tenant calls 311 about a housing issue, HPD schedules an inspection. If the inspector finds a problem, they issue a violation and the landlord is legally required to fix it within a specific timeframe.
The Three Classes of Violations
Class A — Non-Hazardous
Minor issues that don't pose an immediate health or safety risk.
- • Minor cracks in walls or ceilings
- • Peeling paint (non-lead)
- • Missing address numbers
- • Inadequate lighting in hallways
- • Missing or damaged mailboxes
Class B — Hazardous
Conditions that are hazardous to health or safety but not immediately life-threatening.
- • Broken or defective plumbing
- • Roach or rodent infestation
- • Inadequate hot water (but not total failure)
- • Broken windows
- • Defective door locks
- • Mold conditions
Class C — Immediately Hazardous
Dangerous conditions that pose an immediate risk to life, health, or safety.
- • No heat during heating season
- • No hot water
- • Lead-based paint hazards (where children under 6 reside)
- • No electricity
- • Gas leaks
- • Sewage backups
- • Bedbug infestation
- • Missing smoke/CO detectors
Check Any Building's Violations
StreetSmart shows every HPD violation ever issued to a building—categorized by class and whether they're still open. See violation trends over time.
Search a BuildingWhy Violations Matter When Renting
A building's violation history tells you a lot about the landlord and living conditions:
- High violation count = negligent landlord — Buildings with hundreds of violations indicate a landlord who doesn't prioritize maintenance.
- Many open violations = current problems — Open violations mean issues haven't been fixed yet.
- Repeated Class C violations = dangerous — Multiple serious violations suggest systemic neglect.
- Violation trends matter — A building improving over time is better than one getting worse.
Most Common Violation Types
The most common complaint in NYC. Class C if no heat during winter.
Learn your heat rights →Roaches (Class B), bedbugs (Class C), rats/mice (Class B).
See worst buildings for pests →Leaks, clogged drains, toilet issues. Usually Class B.
Exposed wiring, no power. Can be Class B or C depending on severity.
How to Check Violation History
Option 1: Use StreetSmart (Easiest)
Search any address on StreetSmart and we'll show you:
- Total violations by class (A, B, C)
- Open vs. closed violations
- Violation timeline and trends
- Specific violation descriptions
- Unit-level violation breakdown
- How the building compares to others in the neighborhood
Option 2: HPD Online Portal
You can also check violations directly through NYC's official HPD Building Info Search. However, the data is harder to interpret and doesn't show trends or comparisons.
What to Look For
Green Flags (Good Signs)
- ✓Few or no open violations
- ✓Violations get closed quickly (landlord is responsive)
- ✓Violation count decreasing over time
- ✓Mostly Class A violations (minor issues)
Red Flags (Warning Signs)
- ✗Many open Class C violations
- ✗Violations stay open for months/years
- ✗Recurring violations for same issue (pests, heat)
- ✗Violation count increasing over time
- ✗Building has 100+ violations per year
What to Do If Your Building Has Violations
If you already live in a building with open violations:
- Document the issues — Photos, videos, written records
- Report to 311 — Call or use the 311 app to file complaints. This triggers HPD inspections.
- Request inspection results — After HPD inspects, you can get the report
- Know your rights — Landlords are legally required to fix violations within the timeframe
- Consider HP Action — If landlord refuses to fix, you can file an HP Action in Housing Court to force repairs
Rent-Impairing Violations
Some violations are designated as "rent-impairing"—meaning they're so serious that the landlord may not be able to collect rent or evict tenants until they're fixed. These are typically Class C violations related to essential services.
If your building has rent-impairing violations, your landlord cannot take you to Housing Court for non-payment until those violations are addressed.