N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2133
Temporary appointment of receiver (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. If the condition of the premises is such that unless immediately cured irreparable damage may be caused to the building or it constitutes an imminent danger to its occupants or the occupants of adjoining properties, then the order to show cause may be returnable in the discretion of the court in less than five days, and in such case, service may be made by posting a copy of the order in a conspicuous place on the premises and by mailing a copy to the owner at the address registered with the department and to the mortgagees and lienors at their respective addresses. But any appointment of a receiver without service pursuant to subdivision c of section 27-2132 of this article shall be temporary only and expire not more than thirty days thereafter unless, prior to the expiration of the thirty days, the department shall serve notice on the owner, mortgagee and lienors in the manner provided for in subdivision c of section 27-2132 of this article of intention to apply to the court at a date fixed in such notice and not less than five days after the service of such notice, for an extension of the receivership. Upon such service the period of the appointment of the temporary receiver shall be automatically extended for a further period of fifteen days. The notice shall also contain, in addition to the order to show cause and the papers on which it is based, a statement of any expenditures made or obligations incurred by the receiver during the period of his or her temporary appointment. On the date fixed in the notice, the court shall determine whether or not to extend the period of receivership. Such determination shall be made as if the application were an original one for the appointment of a receiver. b. A temporary receiver shall have the powers and duties provided in section 27-2135 of this article, except that he or she shall not, without express order of the court, make any repairs or improvements to the property or incur any expenses in the operation thereof during the period of his or her temporary appointment except such as may be necessary (1) to remedy or remove the immediate condition or conditions which called for his or her appointment, and (2) to the ordinary operation and maintenance of the property. For such specific purpose the receiver shall be entitled to let such contracts and undertake such expenses as may be necessary to accomplish the specific results without advertisements and without procuring competitive bids.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2133, when a building poses an imminent danger or risk of irreparable harm, a court may appoint a temporary receiver on an expedited basis—sometimes with as little as a few days' notice served by posting and mailing rather than formal process. That temporary appointment lasts no more than thirty days unless the city department takes specific steps to extend it, including notifying the owner, mortgagees, and lienors and returning to court. A temporary receiver's authority is deliberately limited: they may address the emergency conditions and handle ordinary maintenance, but cannot undertake broader repairs or incur other expenses without an express court order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to proceedings under §§ 27-2001 and 27-2133 should be aware that in emergency situations a court can appoint a temporary receiver with minimal advance notice—served by posting on the premises and mailing to the registered address—so keeping accurate contact information on file with the department is a practical baseline for compliant operators. The temporary receivership expires within thirty days unless extended, and owners, mortgagees, and lienors are entitled to receive notice of any extension application at least five days before the court date. Operators who receive such notice generally review the receiver's statement of expenditures and obligations, which must accompany the extension notice, and appear on the date fixed to contest or address the court's determination.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants living in buildings with dangerous or deteriorating conditions, §§ 27-2001 and 27-2133 establish a legal mechanism through which a court can quickly appoint a temporary receiver to manage the property and address the emergency—without waiting for the full notice process that normally applies. The temporary receiver is empowered to remedy the immediate hazard and keep the building operating, which can provide relief when an owner has failed to act. Tenants who believe their building qualifies for this kind of intervention may contact the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development or a local tenant-rights organization to learn about available complaint and referral processes.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.