What Is the Heat Law in NYC 2026?

NYC's heat law (NYC Administrative Code §27-2029) requires landlords to maintain minimum indoor temperatures during Heat Season, which runs October 1 through May 31. The standards are unchanged in 2026: 68°F during the day, 62°F overnight.

Do landlords in NYC need to provide heat?

Yes — it is a legal requirement with no exceptions based on lease terms or building age:

• Day rule: at least 68°F between 6am and 10pm when outdoor temperatures fall below 55°F
• Night rule: at least 62°F between 10pm and 6am regardless of outdoor temperature
• A violation is Class C (immediately hazardous); HPD must inspect within 24 hours of a complaint and daily fines apply until the condition is corrected
• Since January 2024, New Yorkers have filed over 1.8 million HPD-related 311 complaints — heat and hot water complaints are the single largest category citywide
• 28.4% of all closed heat complaints are closed simultaneously in administrative batches — a closed status does not confirm your complaint was individually inspected

Our guide to HPD's heat complaint closure practices documents how these closures work and what they mean for tenants in housing court. Check your building's heat complaint history at 311tracker.com.