Heat & Hot Water
NYC landlords are required by law to provide heat and hot water. Heat season runs from October 1 to May 31, and there are specific minimum temperature requirements. Failure to provide these essential services is a serious violation.
Heat Season Requirements
From October 1 to May 31 (heat season), your landlord must maintain specific indoor temperatures. During the day (6 AM to 10 PM), if the outside temperature drops below 55°F, your apartment must be at least 68°F. At night (10 PM to 6 AM), your apartment must be at least 62°F regardless of outside temperature.
Hot Water Requirements
Hot water must be provided 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, at a minimum temperature of 120°F at the tap. There are no exceptions. If your hot water is intermittent or lukewarm, this is a violation.
Filing a Complaint
If you don't have heat or hot water, call 311 immediately. HPD treats heat and hot water complaints as emergencies (Class C violations). Your landlord has 24 hours to restore service. If they fail, HPD can arrange emergency repairs and charge the cost to the landlord.
Chronic Heat Problems
If your building has recurring heat issues, document every outage. HPD tracks complaints per building, and buildings with chronic problems may be placed in special enforcement programs. You can also bring an HP action in housing court to compel permanent repairs to the heating system.
Do's & Don'ts
Do
- Call 311 every time you lose heat or hot water
- Record the temperature in your apartment with a thermometer
- Keep a log of outages with dates and times
- Check if your building has a history of violations on HPD's website
- Contact neighbors to file complaints together for stronger impact
Don't
- Use your oven or stove as a heat source — it's a fire hazard
- Assume one 311 call is enough — file every time it happens
- Let your landlord claim the heating system is too old to fix
- Ignore the problem because spring is coming — you deserve heat all season
- Use unvented space heaters, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning
Helpful Resources
Need Help? Call 311 (Emergency Heat)
311Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions answered
From October 1 to May 31 (heating season), landlords must maintain at least 68°F during the day (6am–10pm) when outside temps drop below 55°F, and at least 62°F overnight. Hot water must be at least 120°F year-round.
Call 311 to file a complaint immediately. Document the temperature with photos showing a thermometer. HPD will send an inspector. For emergencies, HPD has 24/7 response for no-heat violations.
Yes. You can apply to DHCR for a Reduction of Services if your landlord chronically fails to provide adequate heat. Your rent can be reduced until services are restored.
Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact a qualified attorney or one of the free legal services listed above.