N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2017.5
Removal of asthma triggers in a dwelling unit upon turnover (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. Prior to the reoccupancy of any vacant dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling, the owner shall, within such dwelling unit, remediate all visible mold and pest infestations, and any underlying defects in such dwelling unit, and thoroughly clean and vacuum all carpeting and furniture provided by such owner to incoming occupants, consistent with the work practices set out in subdivision a of section 27-2017.8 and the rules promulgated pursuant to section 27-2017.9 . b. The owner shall certify in writing to the incoming tenant or occupant of a unit of a multiple dwelling, in such form as may be promulgated by the department, that the unit is in compliance with subdivision a of this section. (L.L. 2018/055, 1/19/2018, eff. 1/19/2019)
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 27-2017.5, before any vacant apartment in a multi-unit building can be re-occupied, the building owner is required to address all visible mold, pest infestations, and the underlying conditions that cause them within that unit. Carpeting and furniture supplied by the owner must also be thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed. The owner must then provide the incoming tenant with a written certification, in a form approved by the relevant city department, confirming that these remediation steps have been completed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 27-2017.5, compliant building operators complete mold remediation, pest extermination, and repair of underlying defects in every vacant unit before a new tenancy begins, following the work practices specified in § 27-2017.8 and related rules. Owner-supplied carpets and furniture must be thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed as part of the turnover process. Operators also prepare and deliver to each incoming tenant a written certification, in the form prescribed by the department, documenting that the unit meets the subdivision (a) requirements before move-in.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 27-2017.5 gives incoming tenants the right to receive a written certification from their building owner confirming that the unit has been remediated for mold and pests and that owner-supplied carpets and furniture have been cleaned before they move in. If that certification is not provided, or if conditions suggest the required work was not performed, tenants may consider filing a complaint with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which oversees housing maintenance standards. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with NYC housing code can also help explain what options are generally available when an owner has not complied with § 27-2017.5.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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