The NYC heat rules
From October 1 through May 31, building owners must keep apartments warm. The rule depends on the time of day. During the day it only applies when it is cold outside; at night it always applies. Hot water is required all year.
| When | Applies if outside is | Inside must be at least |
|---|---|---|
| 6 AM – 10 PM, Oct 1 – May 31 | Below 55°F | 68°F |
| 10 PM – 6 AM, Oct 1 – May 31 | Any temperature | 62°F |
| Hot water, all year | Any time | 120°F |
| Loft Law (IMD) 6 AM – 10 PM | Below 55°F | 68°F |
| Loft Law (IMD) 10 PM – 6 AM | Below 40°F | 55°F |
| Loft Law (IMD) hot water | 6 AM – midnight | 120°F |
How the checker decides
First it checks the date: outside October 1 to May 31, there is no heat requirement. Then the time. Between 6 AM and 10 PM it compares the outdoor temperature to 55°F. If it is 55°F or warmer outside, heat is not required. If it is colder, anything under 68°F inside is a possible violation. Between 10 PM and 6 AM it ignores the outdoor temperature and flags anything under 62°F. Hot water under 120°F is flagged at any time. The outdoor button pulls the latest Central Park reading from the National Weather Service; use the reading closest to when you measured inside.
Worked example
It is 8 AM on December 15. Your thermometer in the living room reads 64°F and Central Park reports 40°F. Because it is daytime and below 55°F outside, the minimum is 68°F. 64°F is 4 degrees short: a possible violation. At 11 PM the same 64°F would be legal, because the overnight minimum is 62°F. If your tap water peaks at 112°F after running for a few minutes, that is 8 degrees below the 120°F minimum any day of the year.
What to do if it is too cold
- 1
Tell the landlord or super
Text or email so you have a record of when you reported it. - 2
Log every cold reading
Use the evidence log above. Take a photo of the thermometer with the time visible. Download the CSV before you clear your browser. - 3
Call 311
File a heat or hot water complaint by phone, online or in the 311 app. HPD tries to reach the owner and may send an inspector. See how to file an HPD complaint. - 4
Escalate
If heat keeps failing, you can bring an HP action in Housing Court to order repairs. Read HP actions explained and what to do with no heat.
Penalties owners face
HPD lists civil penalties of $250 to $500 per day for each initial heat or hot water violation, and $500 to $1,000 per day for later violations at the same building. If the owner doesn't restore service, HPD's Emergency Repair Program can hire a contractor and bill the owner. You can see whether a building has a history of heat complaints on Roofy's NYC building lookup or read the 2025-26 heat complaints report.
Edge cases
- Measuring: use a reliable thermometer and note which room you measured in. A reading taken right next to an open window or a radiator is easy to challenge.
- Loft Law buildings (interim multiple dwellings) follow the Loft Board's rule and complaints go to the Loft Board, not 311.