No heat or hot water in your NYC apartment: what to do

If your NYC apartment has no heat or hot water, tell your landlord or super right away, and if it isn't fixed promptly, file a complaint with 311 by phone, online or in the app. During heat season (October 1 to May 31) the owner must keep your apartment at 68°F during the day when it is below 55°F outside and 62°F overnight, and hot water must reach 120°F every day of the year.

Use the tool below to see where you stand tonight, then follow the steps.

Is it actually a violation?

The owner is in violation if, during heat season, your apartment is below 68°F between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. while it is below 55°F outside, or below 62°F between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Hot water below 120°F is a violation any time of year. Check a reading here:

The action plan

1. 1

   Tell the owner, in writing

   Call or text the super and the management company, then follow up with a text or email stating the date, time and temperature. HPD recommends contacting the owner first because it is often the fastest fix, and the written message shows the owner had notice.
2. 2

   File with 311

   Call 311 (TTY 212-504-4115), use 311 Online at nyc.gov/311, or the 311 mobile app. Choose heat or hot water for your apartment or the whole building. Write down the Service Request number. Our 311 complaint guide walks through each screen.
3. 3

   Decide whether to file anonymously

   You can, but HPD says the inspector will then pick an apartment at random to inspect, which may not be yours. If you want your apartment measured, give your name and unit.
4. 4

   Answer HPD’s callback and be home if you can

   HPD contacts the managing agent and tries to call you to ask whether service is back. If you say yes, HPD closes the complaint, so only confirm once it is truly fixed. If not, an inspector is sent; the owner is not told the inspection date. If you miss the visit, the inspector leaves a card.
5. 5

   Keep a log

   Record date, time, outdoor and indoor temperature, hot water yes/no, your 311 number and any witness. The city publishes a free printable heat and hot water log you can use.
6. 6

   Track the complaint

   Look up the Service Request number on 311 Online or the app, or search your address on HPD Online. You can also see your building’s complaints and violations on Roofy’s building page.
7. 7

   File again every time it goes out

   Each outage deserves its own complaint. A string of complaints and violations builds the record HPD and Housing Court rely on.

If it isn't fixed: your escalation options

HPD enforcement

Heat and hot water violations are Class C (immediately hazardous) and must be corrected immediately. Owners face civil penalties of $250 to $500 a day for a first violation and $500 to $1,000 a day for later ones at the same building, plus a $200 fee for each inspection after the first two in a heat season that finds a heat violation. If service still isn't restored, HPD's Emergency Repair Program can send its own contractor and bill the owner; unpaid bills become a tax lien on the property. See the Emergency Repair Program.

An HP action in Housing Court

You can sue the owner in Housing Court to order heat, hot water and other repairs. HPD notes you don't need a lawyer to file, and Housing Court Answers runs help tables in every borough courthouse. Read HP actions explained before you go.

Rent reduction

If you are rent stabilized or rent controlled, you can ask HCR for a rent reduction on form HHW-1, attaching a city agency report that found the lack of heat or hot water. Any tenant can also claim an abatement under the warranty of habitability. Don't simply stop paying rent without advice: read can I withhold rent? first.

Help paying for heat

If you pay for your own heat and can't afford it, ask HRA about the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which HPD notes offers emergency help once per heating season.

Tonight's checklist

Before your next move, look up the building on Roofy to see whether heat problems are a pattern. For the full rules, see NYC heat and hot water rules.