Local Law 55 mold inspections for NYC landlords

What Local Law 55 requires

Owners of NYC buildings with three or more apartments must inspect each occupied apartment and all common areas for mold and pests at least once a year and when tenants complain, fix the underlying causes such as leaks using safe work practices, clean vacant apartments before new tenants move in, and give tenants a notice about indoor allergens with the lease.

The law took effect in January 2019. HPD enforces it and can issue violations when mold or pests are found.

• Yearly inspection of each occupied apartment and the common areas, and more often if needed
• Respond to complaints from tenants or from HPD
• Fix the cause, not just the surface: leaks, moisture and conditions that let mold grow
• Turnover: vacant apartments must be cleaned and free of mold and pests before a new tenant moves in
• Tenant notice: a notice about indoor allergens and the owner's obligations goes with the lease

Our yearly mold inspections

We agree the scope with you for each building: which apartments and common areas, and when. In each one we look for mold and water damage, take moisture readings and thermal images where needed, and record what we find.

• A written record for each apartment and common area, with photos
• The likely moisture source for every finding, so your super or contractor knows what to fix
• Turnover inspections for vacant apartments before a new lease
• Inspections when a tenant complains, so you have the facts quickly

When mold is found

Small areas of mold can be cleaned using safe work practices. In buildings with 10 or more apartments, mold of 10 square feet or more needs a licensed mold assessor and a licensed mold remediator under Local Law 61, with filings to DEP. If an HPD violation has been issued, see how to clear an HPD mold violation.