How to check a NYC building before you rent (in 10 minutes)

A viewing shows you a freshly painted apartment on a good day. A building's public record shows you what happened the other 364 days. In New York City most of that record is free and public. Here is how to read it before you hand over a deposit.

1. Look up the building's violations

Search the address on Roofy's building lookup. Every building page lists violations from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Environmental Control Board (ECB).

• HPD violations are about living conditions: heat, hot water, leaks, mold, pests, broken locks and window guards. They matter most to renters.
• DOB violations cover the structure and construction: elevators, boilers, facades, illegal work.
• ECB violations come with fines. Unpaid balances can show an owner who ignores the city.

2. Read the severity, not just the count

A 200-unit building will have more violations than a four-family house. Look at the mix and the dates instead. HPD sorts violations into three classes (see HPD violation classes explained):

• Class A: non-hazardous. The owner has 90 days to fix it.
• Class B: hazardous. 30 days to fix.
• Class C: immediately hazardous, such as no heat, lead paint or rats. 24 hours to fix.

Many open Class C violations from the last year, especially for heat, hot water, mold or vermin, are a serious warning sign.

3. Check complaints and the season they happen in

Tenant complaints to 311 show problems before they turn into violations. Lots of heat complaints between October and May means a cold winter is likely. The same complaint showing up year after year means the owner patches it instead of fixing it.

4. Find out who owns it

The owner of record and the building's HPD registration are on the property page. Search the owner's name to see their other buildings. Landlords tend to run every building the same way.

5. Ask about rent stabilization

Roughly a million NYC apartments are rent stabilized, which limits yearly increases and gives you a right to renew. Buildings with six or more units built before 1974 often have stabilized units. You can request an apartment's rent history from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) for free.

6. Questions to ask at the viewing

1. Who handles repairs, and how do I reach them at night?
2. When was the boiler last replaced? How is heat controlled?
3. I saw open violations for X. Have they been fixed?
4. Is this unit rent stabilized? Can I see the previous lease?
5. Since the 2025 FARE Act, a broker hired by the landlord can't charge you the fee. Who hired this broker?

Quick red-flag checklist

Tick off each check as you go. Your progress stays in this browser.

None of these automatically rules a place out, but each one is worth a direct question before you sign. Then check the numbers: