N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2091
Power to issue orders (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. The department shall have power to issue notices and orders to secure compliance with the requirements of this code, of the multiple dwelling law, and of other state and local laws that impose requirements on dwellings. b. The failure to comply with a notice or order of the department issued pursuant to this code within the time provided for such compliance in the order shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of this code. Nothing contained herein shall, however, limit or render inapplicable other provisions of the administrative code relating to the enforcement of orders of the department or commissioner of the department under other applicable provisions of law. c. The department shall have the power to issue an order to correct any underlying condition existing in a building that has caused or is causing a violation of this code, of the multiple dwelling law, or of other state and local laws that impose requirements on dwellings. 1. Such order may be issued to an owner of a building that meets the criteria promulgated by the department in rules. 2. The department may file such order in the office of the county clerk in the county in which the building is located. Where such order has been filed by the department and complied with by the owner, the department shall file a rescission of the order with such county clerk. 3. An owner shall comply with such order and submit such documentation as the department may require indicating compliance with the order no later than four months after the order has been issued, provided, however, that the department may extend the deadline for compliance by a period not to exceed two months, in accordance with criteria promulgated by the department in rules. If such owner fails to comply with such order, the department may perform all or part of the work required by such order. 4. All amounts for expenses incurred by the department pursuant to this subdivision that remain unpaid by an owner, shall constitute a debt recoverable from the owner and a lien upon the building and lot, and upon the rents and other income thereof. The provisions of article eight of subchapter five of this code shall govern the effect and enforcement of such debt and lien. The department may serve a statement of account upon an owner for such amounts pursuant to section 27-2129 of this code. 5. Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, an owner who fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to this subdivision shall be subject to a civil penalty of one thousand dollars for each dwelling unit that is the subject of such order, provided, however, that the total amount of such penalty shall not be less than five thousand dollars.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2091, the New York City housing department is authorized to issue notices and orders requiring property owners to fix conditions that violate the Housing Maintenance Code, the Multiple Dwelling Law, or other applicable state and local laws. Owners generally have four months to comply with such orders, with a possible two-month extension, and the department may step in to perform the required work if an owner fails to act. Costs incurred by the department for that work can become a lien on the property, and an owner who does not comply faces a civil penalty of $1,000 per affected dwelling unit, with a minimum total penalty of $5,000.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2091 generally respond promptly to any department notice or order, addressing the underlying building condition cited and submitting the documentation the department requires to confirm compliance within the four-month window. Operators who anticipate difficulty meeting that deadline typically seek the available extension before it lapses, since non-compliance can trigger per-unit civil penalties starting at $1,000 per dwelling unit with a $5,000 floor. Unresolved department expenses for work performed in an owner's place can attach as a lien against the building and its rental income, making timely corrective action a standard part of compliant property management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2091, tenants living in buildings with unaddressed housing conditions may have grounds to report those conditions to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which holds the authority to issue formal correction orders to the building owner. If an owner fails to comply with such an order, the department can itself perform the required repairs and impose civil penalties, providing an enforcement path independent of any individual tenant's action. Tenants who believe their building has unresolved violations may also consider reaching out to a tenant-rights organization to understand the range of options available under this provision.
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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