We analyzed building violation data across all five NYC boroughs to answer a question every investor, property manager, and tenant should know: where are the most open violations?
The Data
RegWatch tracks violations from three major NYC agencies: the Department of Buildings (DOB), the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and the Environmental Control Board (ECB). Combined, these agencies issue tens of thousands of violations annually.
Our database covers over 5.5 million NYC properties. For properties where we've computed risk scores, we can break down violation patterns by borough, building type, and severity.
Key Findings
- Brooklyn and the Bronx consistently lead in total open violations — driven by older housing stock and higher-density residential buildings
- Manhattan has fewer total violations but higher average severity — commercial buildings face stricter enforcement
- Queens has the fastest-growing violation count, driven by new construction activity creating more inspection triggers
- Staten Island has the lowest total but highest resolution rate
What This Means for Investors
Open violations are a leading indicator of property risk. A building with multiple unresolved DOB violations signals deferred maintenance, potential fines, and possible legal exposure. For buyers, this data should be part of every due diligence check.
HPD violations specifically indicate habitability issues — important for residential investors evaluating tenant risk and potential liability.
Risk Scoring
RegWatch's risk scoring system combines violation counts, severity, ECB penalties, outstanding balances, and tax delinquency into a single 0-100 score. Properties scoring above 70 warrant immediate attention.
Check Any Property
Search any NYC address on RegWatch to see its violation history, risk score, and compliance status. Free with signup — or dive deeper with our live data insights dashboard.