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SidewalkSnitch / Rulebook / Housing (HPD) / HPD-ROD-001
Housing — Rodent Infestation in Building Common Areas
Regulation
Housing (HPD) · NYC HPD / DOHMH · NYC Admin Code §27-2017.2; HMC §151
Housing — Rodent Infestation in Building Common Areas is enforced by NYC HPD / DOHMH under NYC Admin Code §27-2017.2; HMC §151. Severity default: High.
The regulation
Landlords must exterminate rodents and maintain vermin-proof conditions. Rats or mice in basements, compactor rooms, or hallways are HPD Class C violations when confirmed by inspection.
What to photograph
- rat droppings in building hallway or compactor room
- gnaw marks on doors or baseboards in common area
- dead rodent in building lobby or stairwell
How to file a complaint
- Tenants: call 311 or use the HPD online portal with your address and apartment.
- Photograph conditions with date context; common-area issues do not require apartment access.
- For heat/hot water, log dates and temperatures if possible.
- HPD will schedule inspection — you do not need landlord permission for HPD entry.
Official channel: portal.311.nyc.gov or dial 311. Agency: NYC HPD / DOHMH.
Penalties & fines
HPD civil penalties are assessed per violation class (A–C). Class C hazards (heat, vermin) can trigger Housing Court and emergency repair billing to landlord.
What happens after you file
HPD inspectors issue violations to owners. Tenants can check violation status via HPD Online. Emergency conditions may get same-day response in heat season.
This rule is in our public reference corpus for SEO and training. In-app classification is not enabled yet — file via 311 using the steps above.
FAQ
Can I file anonymously?
311 requires contact information for follow-up. Your identity is not shared with the violator. SidewalkSnitch requires phone verification for filings.
Does SidewalkSnitch submit this to 311 automatically?
We prepare the text. You file it on 311. Nothing goes to 311 unless you send it.