NYC apartment ratings backed by public records
See the public records behind an apartment's grade: violations, complaints, housing court activity, ownership history and building facts.
What the apartment grade is based on
Apartment Fax grades the public records for an address. The full report shows the housing conditions, complaint patterns, legal filings, building facts and ownership history behind the grade. It does not average anonymous tenant reviews.
Records cannot tell you how much sunlight a room gets, what the neighbors sound like or how you will get along with management. Use the grade to prepare for a visit, then see the apartment yourself.
What Apartment Fax checks
- 01
Current and past HPD and DOB conditions
- 02
311 complaints and problems reported repeatedly
- 03
Housing court filings and outcomes found for the address
- 04
Ownership history and building facts
What public records add to tenant reviews
Tenant reviews can help, but many NYC buildings have few or none. Reviews are hard to verify and reflect each tenant's expectations. A star rating also cannot tell you whether a complaint led to a violation or whether a problem kept returning over several years.
Public records have gaps too, but they include dates and named sources and cover more addresses than tenant reviews. That makes it easier to compare buildings using the same kinds of records.
How to use an Apartment Fax grade
Start with the grade, then read the records behind it. One serious open violation may matter more than many minor closed ones. Check whether each issue affects the whole building or names the apartment you are considering.
Bring questions to the viewing. Ask about recurring problems, recent repairs, the recorded owner or manager, and anything in the listing that conflicts with the building's history.
Check the official records
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find ratings for an NYC apartment?
Apartment Fax rates an address using public housing records. Enter the building address and apartment number to review the available records for the property and unit.
Are Apartment Fax ratings tenant reviews?
No. The grade uses public violations, complaints, filings and building facts. It does not use anonymous star reviews.
Does a good rating guarantee a good apartment?
No. Public records cannot capture everything about living there. Visit the apartment, review the lease and ask questions about the unit and management.