HPD violation classes A, B and C explained
What NYC HPD Class A, B and C housing violations mean, how long landlords have to fix them, common examples, and what “open” or “NOV sent” status means.
4 min read · Updated
When an HPD inspector finds a problem in a New York City apartment building, they issue a violation and give it a class. The class tells you how dangerous the problem is and how fast the owner must fix it.
| Class | Meaning | Time to correct | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Non-hazardous | 90 days | Minor leaks, chipped paint (no lead), missing signs |
| B | Hazardous | 30 days | Broken locks, mice, mold, faulty plumbing, missing smoke detectors |
| C | Immediately hazardous | 24 hours (lead paint, window guards: 21 days) | No heat or hot water, lead paint, rats, broken window guards, fire hazards |
What the status means
- Violation open: recorded and not yet confirmed as fixed.
- NOV sent out: the owner has been sent a Notice of Violation. The clock is running.
- NOV certified: the owner says it's fixed. HPD may re-inspect.
- Violation closed / dismissed: resolved, or removed after re-inspection.
An owner can certify a repair without an inspector checking it, so a “certified” violation is not proof it was fixed. Ask current tenants if you can.
How to use this when choosing an apartment
Count the recent open Class C violations, not the lifetime total. Old, closed Class A violations in a big building are normal. Fresh, unresolved Class C violations are not. Every Roofy building page breaks violations down by class and status, and the most-violated buildings list shows where they pile up.
Initial version; re-verified in the October 2026 fact-check pass.
Sources
- Violations: classes and correction periods · NYC HPD (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Housing Maintenance Code Violations (open data) · NYC Open Data (accessed October 12, 2026)
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency or a professional before you act.