What is a HPD Class C violation?
An HPD housing maintenance code violation issued for a condition that poses immediate danger to the life, health, or safety of a tenant — the most serious class of HPD violation.
Authority: Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)
Severity: Immediately Hazardous
Citation: NYC Administrative Code § 27-2115; 28 RCNY Chapter 4
Who gets this violation?
Owners of residential buildings where HPD inspectors find critical conditions like lack of heat/hot water in winter, lead-based paint hazards with children under 6 present, broken window guards, or vermin infestations.
Common causes
- No heat in winter (below 68°F during day, 62°F at night when outside ≤55°F day or ≤40°F night)
- No hot water year-round (<120°F at taps)
- Lead-based paint hazards in apartments with children under 6
- Broken window guards with children under 10
- Roach, rodent, or bed bug infestations
- Defective/missing smoke or CO alarms
- Gas leaks, exposed wiring, structural hazards
Consequences of ignoring it
- $250/day per violation until cured (begins after the cure window)
- Mandatory cure window: within 24 hours (emergency) or 21 days (standard C)
- HPD Emergency Repair Program (ERP) may bill owner for city-paid repairs plus markup
- Class C violations create presumption of uninhabitable condition in housing court
- Rent reduction orders; potential 7A administrator appointment for severe cases
How to resolve
- Correct the underlying condition within the mandated timeframe
- File a certification of correction via HPD Online with photo evidence
- Request a re-inspection if HPD doesn't automatically close the violation
- Pay the $600 Civil Penalty if assessed by OATH
- If ERP was used, pay the city invoice promptly to avoid lien
Typical cost
$500 – $50,000+ per violation (repair + penalty + ERP billing)
This range includes filing penalties, remediation/repair work, and related legal or consulting fees. Actual cost varies with severity, timing, and responsiveness — resolving within mandated cure windows is always cheaper than allowing fines to compound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check if my building has a HPD Class C violation?
Yes. Search any NYC address on RegWatch to see current HPD violations on the property, including their class, issue date, status, and any associated fines. This covers both DOB and HPD violation systems and is sourced directly from the authoritative agency records.
How long do I have to correct a HPD Class C violation?
Correction windows vary by severity. Immediately hazardous violations typically require correction within 24 hours to 21 days depending on the specific condition. Check your specific Notice of Violation for the exact deadline.
Does a HPD Class C violation become a lien on my property?
Unpaid penalties associated with HPD Class C violations become judgment liens on the property when they go unpaid for 90+ days (ECB liens) or through DOF collection. These liens appear on title searches and can block refinance or sale closings until satisfied.
What's the difference between a HPD Class C violation and a Notice of Violation (NOV)?
A Notice of Violation (NOV) is the initial citation issued by the agency inspector. The HPD Class C classification refers to the severity tier assigned to the NOV. Once issued, the NOV creates both a DOB/HPD violation record and an ECB/OATH summons that carries the imposed penalty.
Where can I file a certification of correction?
For DOB violations, file via DOB NOW. For HPD violations, file via HPD Online with photo evidence of the correction. For ECB/OATH summonses, you must attend a hearing or pay the penalty — correction alone does not dismiss an ECB fine.
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