In NYC's competitive rental market, it's tempting to jump on an apartment the moment you see it. But signing a lease without researching the building is one of the biggest mistakes renters make. A few minutes of due diligence can save you from living with bedbugs, a negligent landlord, or constant heating failures.
One Search. Everything You Need.
StreetSmart combines 12 NYC data sources into one free building report. Violations, landlord ratings, pest history, 311 complaints, and more.
Search Any AddressThe Complete Building Research Checklist
Before signing a lease, check these 10 things:
HPD Violation History
Check how many violations the building has and whether they're open or closed. Focus on Class B and C violations—they indicate serious issues.
Landlord Reputation
See how the landlord's other buildings are rated. Slumlords typically have violations across their entire portfolio.
Pest History
Check if the building has a history of bedbug, cockroach, or rodent violations. Infestations are a nightmare.
311 Complaints
311 complaints show real-time issues like no heat, noise, and building problems. See what current tenants deal with.
Rent Stabilization Status
Buildings built before 1974 with 6+ units are likely rent-stabilized. This protects you from huge rent increases.
Building Age & Construction
Year built, number of units, building class. Older buildings may have more character but also more issues.
DOB Permits & Construction
Active construction permits mean potential noise. Recent renovation permits might indicate updated units—or harassment.
Neighborhood Score
How does the building's block compare to the rest of the neighborhood? See nearby amenities and transit access.
Internet Availability
Critical for remote work. Check if fiber is available and what speeds are typical in the area.
Nearby Amenities
Parks, grocery stores, restaurants, schools nearby. StreetSmart calculates walkability scores for each building.
Red Flags to Watch For
Warning Signs That Should Make You Walk Away
- ✗100+ open violations — Landlord clearly doesn't maintain the building
- ✗Repeated bedbug violations — Infestations are hard to eliminate completely
- ✗Multiple heat complaints every winter — You'll freeze too
- ✗Landlord's other buildings also have problems — It's their management style
- ✗Building sold recently with lots of construction — Could be renovation harassment
- ✗Landlord won't let you see the actual unit — What are they hiding?
Green Flags (Good Signs)
Signs of a Well-Maintained Building
- ✓Few violations, mostly closed quickly — Responsive landlord
- ✓No pest violations in recent years — Building is clean
- ✓Building score above neighborhood average — Better than most
- ✓Landlord has good ratings across portfolio — Consistent management
- ✓Long-term tenants — People don't stay in bad buildings
- ✓Clean common areas — Pride in the building
Compare to Other Buildings
Context matters. A building with 50 violations might sound bad—but if the neighborhood average is 200, it's actually good. Always compare:
- Building score vs. neighborhood average
- Landlord rating vs. other landlords
- Violation count vs. similar-sized buildings
Check out the citywide building rankings to see where any building stands compared to all 694,000+ NYC buildings.
Beyond the Data: In-Person Checks
Data tells you a lot, but you should also check these things in person:
- Visit at different times — Day and night, weekday and weekend
- Check the lobby and hallways — Are they clean and well-lit?
- Look at the mailboxes — Lots of names scratched out = high turnover
- Talk to current tenants — Ask about heat, pests, landlord responsiveness
- Check the basement/laundry room — Condition says a lot about management
- Test water pressure and heat — Turn on the shower, check radiators