Heat Season & Hot Water Requirements
From October 1 of each year through the end of May, there are set heat requirements for NYC residential buildings - aka, Heat Season.
Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit; and, Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., the inside temperature is required to be at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit.
Outside Temp
|
Time of Day |
Apartment Temp |
55 degrees or lower |
6 AM – 10 PM |
68 degrees |
40 degrees or lower |
10 PM – 6 AM |
62 degrees |
Failure to abide will result in Class C violations.
Here’s more information on Heat season, and year-round hot water requirements.
Heat and Hot Water Violations
If heat or hot water violations are issued, they must be corrected within 24 hours of the posting of the violation notice at the property.
The owner may satisfy the violation by submitting a Notice of Correction and $250 if:
- The heat violation was the first issued during the current or prior heat season
- The hot water violation was the first issued during the current or previous calendar year.
If HPD commences a Litigation proceeding, they can seek the following penalties:
- $250-500 per day for an initial heat or hot water violation
- $500-1000 per day for each subsequent heat or hot water violation (at the same building during the same/next calendar year)
For heat and hot water violations, the owner will receive a Report of Violations (ROV), not a Notice of Violation.
The Report of Violation for heat and hot water violations is posted on the building the day the violation is issued and civil penalties begin to accrue immediately.
HPD seeks civil penalties in Housing Court on all heat and hot water violations. However, if this is the first heat or hot water violation the property has received within a certain timeframe (consult the ROV for specifics) AND you correct the condition within 24 hours of the posted notice, you have the opportunity to pay the Civil Penalty without going to Housing Court.
Per HPD, review your ROV instructions carefully!