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🚨 EMERGENCY ISSUES
No heat, hot water, or dangerous conditions
Call 311
Available 24/7 | Call, use app, or visit 311.nyc.gov
NYC 311 Services
The primary way to report housing problems to NYC government
Phone:311
Online:portal.311.nyc.gov
Mobile App:"NYC 311" (free download)
Hours:24/7
Use 311 for: Heat/hot water problems, apartment maintenance, roaches/pests, leaks, electrical issues, broken locks, lead paint, mold, and building code violations.
Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)
NYC's housing agency that handles building inspections and violations
Phone:(212) 863-7001
Website: nyc.gov/site/hpd
Online Portal: hpdonline.nyc.gov
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM
Services: Building inspections, violation tracking, tenant rights information, and housing court support.
Tenant Rights Hotline
Free legal advice and referrals from Met Council on Housing
Phone: (212) 979-0611
Website: metcouncilonhousing.org
Hours: Mon 1:30-8PM, Wed & Fri 1:30-5PM
Services: Free legal advice, referrals to tenant lawyers, and help understanding your rights as a renter.
PA'LANTE HARLEM
Local tenant advocacy organization serving East Harlem
Address: 1411 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
Website: palanteharlem.org
Email: Contact through website
Services: Tenant rights workshops, advocacy against landlord harassment, community organizing, and housing inequality support.
NY State Attorney General
State-level tenant rights and housing law enforcement
Phone: (800) 771-7755
Website: ag.ny.gov
Tenant Guide: Residential Tenants' Rights Guide
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM
Services: Tenant rights information, complaint resolution, and enforcement of housing laws.
NYS Tenant Protection Unit
State agency focused on protecting tenants from harassment and overcharges
Phone: (718) 739-6400
Website: hcr.ny.gov/tenant-protection-unit
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM
Services: Investigating landlord harassment, rent overcharge cases, and tenant protection enforcement.
📋 Tips for Getting Help
Document everything: Take photos, keep records of temperatures, and save all communication with your landlord
Contact your landlord first: Send written notice (email or text) about the problem before calling 311
Keep records: Save all 311 complaint numbers and reference them in follow-up calls
Know your rights: Landlords must provide heat (68°F+ during day, 62°F+ at night, Oct 1 - May 31)
Be persistent: Follow up on complaints and don't hesitate to call again if issues aren't resolved
Get support: Contact tenant advocacy groups - you don't have to handle problems alone
Emergency situations: For immediate safety issues (gas leaks, no heat in winter, electrical hazards), call 311 immediately
Prepared by the East Harlem Neighborhood Block Association | For additional resources, visit your local community board or contact our office
Last updated: June 2025