I Need Heat NYC!

It's   and it's  outside right now.

According to NYC law, it must be at least  inside your apartment.

Over 10,000 people in NYC are without heat. Are you one of them?

If Your landlord has not responded to your requests to turn on the heat, here are the steps you should take:

  1. Contact 311
  2. Keep a Heat Log
  3. Reach Out
  4. Go To Housing Court

This might sound like a lot, but don't worry! We'll go through each of them.

First: Call 311

Why?

It will "encourage" your landlord to turn on your heat. 311 takes your complaint and sends it to the NY Housing Department (HPD). The Housing Department then contacts your landlord and lets them know a case has been filed.

Build Your Case. Your complaints are all catalogued, and can be referred to if you choose to take your landlord to court.

Second: Keep a Heat Log

Keeping track of every day you don't have heat can help you if you end up in court. Use our Heat Log Tool or download the heat log PDF from The Metropolitan Council to print.

Third: Reach Out

At any time during this process you can contact an organization that can assist you through this process.

Reach out to these organizations to get help.

Contact your city council member City Council Member

Talk to your neighbors. If your neighbors are also struggling with heat, you should work together to file a case against your landlord. Everyone should be contacting 311, at least every day.

Fourth: Go to Housing Court

You can physically go to your borough's Housing Court to start an HP Action to force your landlord to provide heat. You should do this in addition to making regular 311 complaints.

Good Work!

No one should go without heat, but many do. By taking action you not only improve your situation, you add fuel to a larger movement to empower all New Yorkers living without heat to take a stand.