N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2147
Levy on rents (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. The department may serve upon any person liable for rent or other compensation for the occupancy of premises subject to this article a notice containing: (1) a statement of the contents of the certificate filed pursuant to section 27-2145 of this article, or of a judgment in an action under section 27-2116 of article two of this subchapter or section 27-2143 of this article or in an action to enforce a lien under this article; (2) a statement of the amount remaining due under such certificate or judgment; and (3) a demand that rent thereafter be paid to the department as it comes due. Service of the notice shall be made by personal delivery of a copy thereof, or by certified mail. b. Upon receipt of such notice, the person to whom it is directed shall pay any rent due, and future rent as it comes due, to the department in the manner set forth in the demand. The department may, upon failure to pay, sue for rent due. In such suit, the validity of proceedings prior to the issuance of the notice under subdivision a of this section shall not be subject to question. c. The department shall issue a receipt for each sum paid under this section. Such payment and receipt shall for all purposes have the same legal effect as payment to or a receipt from the owner or other person authorized to collect rent. No person shall be subject to any proceedings for the recovery of possession or other relief, or any penalty or forfeiture, arising out of his or her failure to pay to any person any sum paid to the department under this section. d. The department shall, at the time of service of any notice under subdivision a, give the owner and agent notice by certified mail at their last registered address, or other address, if known, of such action. Unless within twelve days of such notice suit has been instituted by or on behalf of the owner to restrain such action or recover from the department any sums collected, the action of the department shall not be subject to challenge. e. Upon collection of the total sum owing to the department, it shall forthwith serve, upon each person served with a demand under subdivision a of this section, a notice cancelling such demand.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 27-2147, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has the authority to redirect rent payments away from a property owner and toward itself when there is an outstanding certificate of violation or judgment against that owner. Once a tenant or other occupant receives a formal notice and demand, their rent payments made to HPD carry the same legal weight as payments made directly to the landlord. The levy remains in effect until HPD collects the full amount owed and issues a cancellation notice to all parties who received the original demand.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managing agents subject to N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 27-2147 should be aware that HPD can intercept rent streams when a certificate filed under § 27-2145 or a related judgment remains unsatisfied. Compliant operators generally resolve outstanding violations and judgments promptly to avoid a levy, and they monitor their last registered address with HPD so that the required certified-mail notice under subdivision (d) reaches them in time. Owners who wish to challenge a levy have a narrow twelve-day window after receiving notice to institute a legal action to restrain HPD's collection or recover sums already collected.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 27-2147, a tenant who receives an HPD notice and demand is legally protected when paying rent to HPD rather than to the landlord — that payment is treated as fully satisfying the rental obligation, and no eviction proceeding or penalty may be brought against the tenant for redirecting those funds. Tenants in this situation may wish to retain copies of every HPD receipt issued under subdivision (c), as those receipts serve as official proof of payment. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid providers familiar with New York City housing law can help occupants understand what the notice means and what options exist if a landlord disputes the arrangement.
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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