Living rule book
NYC heat and hot water rules in one building
Each number marks a rule. Pick a number to zoom in and read the rule with its official source. Open it to read the full rule page.
- Not allowed
- Allowed
- What the rule is about
- Distance in the rule
Plain-language summaries. The official text linked with each rule is the law. Not legal advice.
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All rules on this street
The same rules as the drawing, in order.
1. Daytime heat: 68°F
Allowed · NYC Admin Code § 27-2029(a)(1)
From October 1 through May 31, between 6 AM and 10 PM, central heat must keep every room used for living at 68°F or warmer whenever it is below 55°F outside.
Official sources
Read the rule →2. Nighttime heat: 62°F
Allowed · NYC Admin Code § 27-2029(a)(2)
From October 1 through May 31, between 10 PM and 6 AM, central heat must keep every room used for living at 62°F or warmer. This night rule does not depend on the temperature outside.
Official sources
Read the rule →3. No device that shuts off the heat
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 27-2029(b)
From October 1 through May 31, a central heating system must be free of any device that can stop it from giving the required heat or hot water. Safety devices that the law requires are allowed.
Official sources
Open the official source →4. Hot water: 120°F, 6 AM to midnight
Allowed · NYC Admin Code § 27-2031
Every sink, washbasin, bath and shower in an apartment must get hot water at a constant minimum of 120°F at all times from 6 AM to midnight.
Official sources
Read the rule →5. Showers with a mixing valve: 110°F
Allowed · NYC Admin Code § 27-2031
A bath or shower with a pressure-balancing or thermostatic mixing valve may give water cooler than 120°F, but never cooler than 110°F.
Official sources
Read the rule →6. Mold the owner must look for
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code §§ 27-2017, 27-2017.2
Mold growing on an indoor surface that is likely to harm people is an indoor mold hazard. In an apartment building, the owner must check every occupied apartment and the common areas for it at least once a year, and more often when needed, for example after a tenant complains.
Official sources
Read the rule →7. Mice, rats and cockroaches
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code §§ 27-2017, 27-2017.2
Mice, rats or cockroaches inside, or conditions that invite them, are indoor allergen hazards. In an apartment building, the owner must investigate for them in occupied apartments and common areas, such as halls, at least once a year and more often when needed.
Official sources
Read the rule →8. Peeling paint and cracks: keep in good repair
Not allowed · NYC Admin Code § 27-2005(a), (h)
The owner of an apartment building must keep the building in good repair, and must also keep empty apartments in good repair.
Official sources
Read the rule →9. Notice before a service shut-off
Allowed · NYC Admin Code § 27-2005(e)
Before work that will cut heat, hot water, cold water, gas or electricity for 2 hours or more, the owner must post a notice in a prominent place in the building at least 24 hours ahead, in English and Spanish. For emergency work, the notice goes up as soon as practicable.
Official sources
Open the official source →10. Gas leak notice
Allowed · NYC Admin Code § 27-2005(f)
The owner must post a notice in a common area, and give one with each lease, telling tenants who suspect a gas leak to call 911 first and then the gas company, before calling the owner.
Official sources
Open the official source →11. Apartment door: lock, chain and peephole
Allowed · NYC Admin Code §§ 27-2043, 27-2041
The owner must put a key lock in each apartment entrance door and give at least one key, and must provide a peephole so a person inside can see who is outside. In a class A multiple dwelling, the door also needs a heavy-duty dead bolt (key outside, thumb-turn inside) and a chain door guard.
Official sources
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