Resources

🌳 COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

  • Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association (MMPCIA)

  • East Harlem Triangle

  • Harlem Grown

  • Greater Harlem Coalition

🚨 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