Image Credit: NYC HPD
On November 20, 2023, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the relaunch of HPD Online, the agency’s platform for tenants, owners, and advocates to access information about where they live.
The site includes information regarding thousands of apartments citywide and allows users to track the types of complaints filed, open violations, and complaint outcomes. The site includes information regarding building ownership, enforcement action charges against the building, housing court actions initiated by the agency or tenants, and special enforcement activity. The information can provide prospective or current tenants with an idea of how responsive a landlord or owner is to required changes or ongoing problems. Common issues like heating, flooding, rodents or pests, mold, or other code hazards can pose health risks to tenants if building owners do not promptly and properly correct issues.
Tenants who need to make a complaint can contact 311. A unique service number will be issued, which will allow the tenant to follow the complaint as it enters the Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s system. The agency will contact the tenant to see if the complaint has been resolved, or send an inspector to investigate. A Notice of Violation will be sent to the managing agent if a violation is discovered.
The new site also gives building owners access to several administrative tools; owners can access online applications to register property, file e-certifications, update required annual reports, and to apply for Certificates of No Harassment.
The site was soft launched earlier this spring, and since then the site has received over 12 million views from 2.3 million users. The new site is easier to navigate and meets Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The site includes multilingual support for the top ten citywide supported languages. To visit the site, click here.
HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. stated, “Access to critical housing resources is not a luxury – it’s a necessity to fulfill our mission of creating safe, permanent, and affordable housing for all New Yorkers. The redesigned HPD Online acts as a bridge, breaking down the barriers between New Yorkers, their local government, and building owners, offering an intuitive and user-friendly portal that places vital government information right at your fingertips.
Council Member Eric Dinowitz stated, “”I am thrilled to see the relaunch of HPD Online, a crucial and user-friendly platform that empowers tenants, owners, and advocates with essential information about the safety of their living spaces. In a city as dynamic as New York, access to transparent and up-to-date information about residential building conditions is paramount. The success of the soft launch, with over 2.3 million users and 12 million views, demonstrates the high demand for such a tool. HPD Online plays a pivotal role in fostering accountability and ensuring that tenants can easily track complaints, violations, charges, legal disputes, and more. This innovative platform aligns with our commitment to transparency and will undoubtedly be an invaluable resource for our community. I commend the Housing Preservation & Development for their dedication to enhancing the housing experience for all New Yorkers.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the Editor of CityLand and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)