N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 8, ch. 1 § 8-114
Investigations and investigative record keeping (New York City Human Rights Law)
Operative Text
a. The commission may at any time issue subpoenas requiring attendance and giving of testimony by witnesses and the production of books, papers, documents and other evidence relating to any matter under investigation or any question before the commission. The issuance of such subpoenas shall be governed by the civil practice law and rules. b. Where the commission has initiated its own investigation or has conducted an investigation in connection with the filing of a complaint pursuant to this chapter, the commission may demand that any person or persons who are the subject of such investigation (i) preserve those records in the possession of such person or persons which are relevant to the determination of whether such person or persons have committed unlawful discriminatory practices or other acts made unlawful by this chapter or chapter 6 of this title with respect to activities in the city, and (ii) continue to make and keep the type of records made and kept by such person or persons in the ordinary course of business within the year preceding such demand which are relevant to the determination of whether such person or persons have committed unlawful discriminatory practices or other acts made unlawful by this chapter or chapter 6 of this title with respect to activities in the city. A demand made pursuant to this subdivision shall be effective immediately upon its service on the subject of an investigation and shall remain in effect until the termination of all proceedings relating to any complaint filed pursuant to this chapter or civil action commenced pursuant to chapter 4 of this title or if no complaint or civil action is filed or commenced shall expire two years after the date of such service. The commission's demand shall require that such records be made available for inspection by the commission, be filed with the commission, or both. c. Any person upon whom a demand has been made pursuant to subdivision b of this section may, pursuant to procedures established by rule of the commission, assert an objection to such demand. Unless the commission orders otherwise, the assertion of an objection shall not stay compliance with the demand. The commission shall make a determination on an objection to a demand within 30 days after such an objection is filed with the commission, unless the party filing the objection consents to an extension of time. d. Upon the expiration of the time set pursuant to such rules for making an objection to such demand, or upon a determination that an objection to the demand shall not be sustained, the commission shall order compliance with the demand. e. Upon a determination that an objection to a demand shall be sustained, the commission shall order that the demand be vacated or modified. f. A proceeding may be brought on behalf of the commission in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking an order to compel compliance with an order issued pursuant to subdivision d of this section. (Am. L.L. 2018/063, 1/19/2018, eff. 10/16/2018) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1991/039 .
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 8-101 et seq. § 8-114, the New York City Commission on Human Rights holds broad investigative authority, including the power to issue subpoenas for testimony and documents and to demand that subjects of an investigation preserve and continue creating relevant records. A preservation demand takes effect immediately upon service and can remain in force until all related proceedings conclude, or for up to two years if no complaint or civil action is filed. If a subject objects to such a demand, the Commission must rule on that objection within 30 days, and the Commission may seek a court order to enforce compliance if its directives are not followed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who become subjects of a Commission investigation under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 8-101 et seq. § 8-114 are generally expected to retain all records relevant to the inquiry—including ordinary business records of the type kept in the prior year—immediately upon receiving a preservation demand. Compliant operators typically make those records available for Commission inspection or submission as directed, and they are aware that objecting to a demand does not automatically pause the obligation to comply unless the Commission orders otherwise. Familiarity with the Commission's procedural rules for raising objections, and the 30-day determination timeline, helps operators understand the process they may encounter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants who have filed a discrimination complaint, N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 8-101 et seq. § 8-114 provides a mechanism that can help ensure relevant evidence is not lost: the Commission can compel the subject of an investigation to preserve and produce records tied to the complaint. Tenants who believe a landlord is failing to cooperate with a Commission investigation may contact the New York City Commission on Human Rights directly to report concerns, or consult a tenant-rights organization for guidance on how the investigative process works. Understanding that the Commission has court-enforcement tools available if its orders are not followed may be useful context when navigating a complaint.
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 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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