What Is the Pest Control Law in NYC?

NYC's Housing Maintenance Code requires all residential buildings to be maintained free from pests at all times. The pest control obligation falls on the building owner — not the tenant — for infestations that originate in common areas or spread between units. Bed bug infestations are Class C HPD violations requiring correction within 24 hours.

• Landlords must use licensed pest control operators for extermination — tenants cannot be billed for this in most cases
• NYC Admin Code §27-2018.1 requires landlords to disclose bed bug infestation history for the prior 3 years in writing before a lease is signed
• HPD requires landlords to provide 48 hours written notice before entering a unit for extermination treatment
• Failure to exterminate after an HPD violation carries daily fines; repeat violations can place a building in HPD's Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP)
• File a 311 complaint if your landlord fails to address a pest condition — the complaint becomes a public record at 311tracker.com

See the full data on pest complaint patterns across NYC buildings in our NYC pest complaint analysis.