SidewalkSnitch · Heat Check
Heat Check: should your landlord be giving you heat?
Answer a few short questions. We check the NYC heat law and the outside temperature for you. If your landlord should have given heat, you can file a snitch and a 311 complaint here. No waitlist.
Step 1 of 5
Where and what?
New York City address only. Heat Check uses the NYC heat law.
What is the problem?Sources: HPD · NYC311 KA-01036 · §27-2029 · §27-2031 · Weather: Open-Meteo
This week in NYC: heat complaints more than tripled
- Oct 18–24: 12,084 heat and hot water complaints. Oct 11–17: 3,860. Change: +8,224 (+213.1%). That is more than three times the prior week. It is the biggest rise of any 311 complaint type this week. Note: the prior week includes Oct 17 (low 43°F, 1,838 heat complaints), so the base is higher than in last week's note. (NWS CF6)
- The peak was Oct 18 (2,603). Oct 23 had 1,672, and Oct 24 had 1,488. Complaints are lower than the peak. (311 counts by day)
- The coldest low in this window was 41°F on Oct 18. Oct 24 low was 44°F. (NWS CF6, Central Park, Oct 2026 — preliminary)
- "Entire Building" complaints: 8,856 of 12,084 (73.3%) vs 2,754 of 3,860 (71.3%). (311 query)
| Day | Heat complaints | Central Park high / low |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 18 | 2,603 | 57°F / 41°F |
| Oct 19 | 2,038 | 62°F / 47°F |
| Oct 20 | 1,368 | 67°F / 50°F |
| Oct 21 | 1,615 | 62°F / 50°F |
| Oct 22 | 1,300 | 67°F / 49°F |
| Oct 23 | 1,672 | 59°F / 47°F |
| Oct 24 | 1,488 | 60°F / 44°F |
| Borough | Oct 18–24 | Oct 11–17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | 3,536 | 1,116 | +2,420 (+216.8%) |
| Bronx | 3,397 | 1,246 | +2,151 (+172.6%) |
| Manhattan | 3,283 | 972 | +2,311 (+237.8%) |
| Queens | 1,757 | 490 | +1,267 (+258.6%) |
| Staten Island | 111 | 36 | +75 (+208.3%) |
| Citywide | 12,084 | 3,860 | +8,224 (+213.1%) |
Read more: NYC Vibe Check: no heat → Sources: 311 heat complaints by borough, type and day, Oct 1–25. NYC Open Data, erm2-nwe9, pulled Oct 26, 2026; data through Oct 24 (late reports can still add a few).
The NYC heat and hot water law, in plain words
Heat season in New York City runs from October 1 to May 31. During heat season, the building owner must give tenants heat by these rules. The rules are in NYC Admin Code §27-2029, and HPD and 311 publish them in the same words.
Day, 6 AM to 10 PM: if the outside temperature is below 55°F, the inside temperature must be at least 68°F. If it is 55°F or warmer outside, the day rule does not apply.
Night, 10 PM to 6 AM: the inside temperature must be at least 62°F, whatever the outside temperature is. There is no outside condition at night.
Hot water: HPD and 311 say hot water must be provided 365 days a year at a constant minimum of 120°F. It is not only a heat-season rule. The law text (§27-2031) sets 120°F from 6 AM to midnight, and allows fixtures with anti-scald mixing valves to run cooler, but never below 110°F.
Before you file, 311 asks you to tell your landlord, managing agent or superintendent first. If the problem continues, file a Heat or Hot Water complaint with 311 online, by phone at 311, or by TTY at (212) 504-4115. If you live in NYCHA public housing, use the NYCHA maintenance route on the 311 page, not the HPD route.
Heat Check applies these rules to the date and time you give, looks up the outside temperature for that hour, and compares your thermometer reading. It is a guide, not a legal decision: only an HPD inspection can find a violation.
How Heat Check works
- Enter the address and the problem. Type the building address and pick no heat, not enough heat, or no hot water.
- Pick the date and time. Choose the date and the hour with AM or PM. For heat, Heat Check looks up the outside temperature for that hour.
- Add your reading. Enter the inside temperature, or the hot water temperature, from your thermometer. You can add a photo of the thermometer; Heat Check shows its time.
- See the result. Heat Check tells you if your landlord should have provided heat or hot water, and why.
- File it. If it is likely a violation, sign in with your phone to file a snitch, then open the 311 Heat or Hot Water form.
Heat Check FAQ
When is heat season in NYC?
October 1 to May 31. Hot water is required all year.
How warm must my apartment be during the day?
From 6 AM to 10 PM, at least 68°F inside, but only when it is below 55°F outside.
How warm must my apartment be at night?
From 10 PM to 6 AM, at least 62°F inside, whatever the outside temperature is.
How hot must the hot water be?
HPD and 311 say at least 120°F, 365 days a year. The §27-2031 law text says 120°F from 6 AM to midnight and never below 110°F at anti-scald mixing-valve fixtures.
Do I need a thermometer?
No, but without a reading Heat Check cannot compare your home to the law. You can still file with 311, and an HPD inspector will take readings.
Does Heat Check decide if there is a violation?
No. It applies the published rules to your answers. Only an HPD inspection can find a violation.