What Building Check reads
- HPD violations, by class, from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
- The annual bedbug report and registration violations, the two HPD filings owners most often find open.
- DOB violations still active at the Department of Buildings.
- The tax lien sale list from the Department of Finance, with the latest notice stage.
Why check before you list
Every item here is public. It is the same record a buyer's attorney and title company read before a closing, and each open item becomes a question the buyer's side asks. Knowing the list first lets you clear what you can before the building is on the market. When you are ready for numbers, the seller net proceeds calculator shows what you keep after costs, a free home valuation sets the price, and the selling guide covers the rest.
Common questions about NYC building violations
Where does this information come from?
NYC Open Data: HPD's Housing Maintenance Code Violations, DOB Violations, the Department of Finance's Tax Lien Sale Lists, and PLUTO from the Department of City Planning. The city publishes these datasets, and they can trail the agencies' own systems by a few days.
How do I clear an HPD violation?
Correct the condition and certify the correction with HPD inside the correction period: 90 days for Class A, 30 days for Class B, and 24 hours for most Class C. Certification is free. A violation not certified on time needs a Dismissal Request, which requires a reinspection and carries a fee.
Why does a registration violation matter so much?
Without a valid HPD registration, an owner cannot certify any other HPD violation or request a dismissal. Registration is annual, due September 1, through HPD's Property Registration Online System, with a $13 fee billed on the property tax statement.
How do I get off the tax lien sale list?
Pay the balance in full or enter a payment agreement with the Department of Finance before the sale. After payment is processed, DOF sends a notice that the property is no longer subject to the lien sale.
Is the address I type saved?
No. The address is used to run the check and is not stored. Nothing about you is kept unless you choose to send the request form.
Milton Coste, Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker, Keller Williams NYC, 360 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017. NY License #10301213304.