Look up NYC DOB violations by address
Check the Department of Buildings records before you rent. Read the violations alongside complaints, permits, housing conditions and ownership changes.
What a DOB violation means
A DOB violation is a notice that a property or construction condition breaks a rule enforced by the Department of Buildings, such as a construction code or zoning rule. Check what the violation describes, when it was issued and whether it is still open. Nearby dates on permits and complaints can help explain what was happening at the building.
DOB NOW and the Buildings Information System contain different records. The city recommends checking both for a complete search. A DOB complaint, OATH summons, HPD violation and DOB violation each mean something different.
What Apartment Fax checks
- 01
Open and past DOB violations at the address
- 02
DOB complaints, dates, descriptions and recorded status
- 03
Available building jobs, permits and safety records
- 04
Related HPD conditions, 311 complaints, ownership and court activity
What DOB, HPD and OATH records mean
DOB enforces construction, building-code, zoning and property-safety rules. HPD handles housing maintenance, including heat, pests and repairs. OATH handles hearings on enforcement summonses. One incident can produce several kinds of records.
Apartment Fax shows the agency, date, status and description for each record. Read those details to distinguish a reported complaint from an inspection finding, violation or other enforcement action.
Check the latest status and earlier problems
An open violation may matter differently from an old resolved one. Read recent records first, especially repeated elevator, façade, boiler, construction or occupancy issues. Compare them with permits and complaints from the same period.
A closed record cannot tell you everything about the apartment today. Ask about recent work during the viewing and check whether earlier records describe the same problem.
Check the official records
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up DOB violations for an NYC building?
Search the exact address or building identification number in both DOB NOW and the Buildings Information System. The two systems contain different violation records.
What is the difference between DOB and HPD violations?
DOB violations concern construction codes, zoning and building safety. HPD violations concern housing maintenance. Both agencies can record different parts of the same problem.
Should I care about closed DOB violations?
Yes. Closed records can show repeated problems, how long enforcement took and past maintenance. They should not be counted as current open conditions.