What is a HPD Lead violation?
An HPD Class C violation issued when lead-based paint is present in deteriorated condition in a dwelling unit where a child under 6 resides, in a building constructed before 1960 (or 1960–1977 with known lead paint).
Authority: Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)
Severity: Immediately Hazardous
Citation: NYC Administrative Code § 27-2056.1 et seq.
Local Law: Local Law 1 of 2004 (amended by LL 31/2020, LL 123/2023)
Who gets this violation?
Owners of pre-1960 residential buildings with young children — the presumption is all pre-1960 buildings have lead paint until XRF testing proves otherwise.
Common causes
- Deteriorated paint conditions (peeling, chipping, flaking, rubbing) in unit with child under 6
- Failure to conduct annual lead-paint inspection in applicable units
- Using non-certified contractors for repair work that disturbs painted surfaces
- Failure to provide required tenant notices
- No XRF testing to rebut the lead-paint presumption
Consequences of ignoring it
- $250/day per Class C violation until cured
- Significant personal injury exposure — NYC lead poisoning cases routinely settle at $100k–$1M+
- HPD ERP may abate at owner expense with markup
- Criminal liability for willful non-compliance resulting in child exposure
- Loss of landlord insurance or premium increases
How to resolve
- Engage an EPA RRP-certified lead-safe renovation firm
- Perform work using HUD Lead-Safe Work Practices
- Obtain third-party clearance testing (wipe + XRF)
- File certification of correction with clearance report via HPD Online
- Document annual inspection compliance going forward
Typical cost
$5,000 – $100,000+ per unit (full remediation)
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 Lead 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 Lead 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 Lead violation become a lien on my property?
Unpaid penalties associated with HPD Lead 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 Lead violation and a Notice of Violation (NOV)?
A Notice of Violation (NOV) is the initial citation issued by the agency inspector. The HPD Lead 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.
Related Searches
Search Free, Save Any Building
Search 9.4M+ properties across NYC, NJ & CT. Save any building free and get in-app compliance alerts — no credit card required.
Check Your Building