If you’re living in New York City and facing problems in your apartment that need attention, you may not always know who to contact. Luckily, there are several online resources available that can help you find your landlord and even assist you in reaching out to them.
1. JustFix: A Helpful Tool to Find Your Landlord
JustFix is a housing justice organization that provides an online database for landlords across the five boroughs of New York City. The website allows New Yorkers to search for the landlord of their building. Along with the landlord’s contact details, it also shows other important information such as:
- The most common complaints made about the building
- Violations the building might have
- Information on rent-stabilized apartments in the building
- A list of other buildings owned by the same landlord
Once you’ve found your landlord’s details, JustFix also helps you draft a legally vetted letter. This letter can be used to notify your landlord about any problems that need fixing. The best part is, this service is free! It also lets you set up a time for repairs to be made.
2. Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
The city of New York has its own official resource called the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). This government department offers a searchable online database where tenants can find details about their landlords, including:
- Any open complaints
- Violations the building may have
- Housing court cases related to the building
- Reports on bed bugs, if any, in the building
If you find that your landlord is unresponsive to your requests for repairs, the HPD website is a good tool to gather information and document any ongoing issues.
3. File a Complaint with 311
If you’ve already contacted your landlord about a problem, but there’s no response, don’t worry. New Yorkers can file a complaint with 311, which is the city’s non-emergency service. When you file a complaint, a city inspector will be sent to your apartment or building to investigate the issue.
This is a great way to ensure that serious problems get looked at by the city, especially when your landlord isn’t taking action.
How to Use These Resources
Finding your landlord’s information and contacting them is easier than you might think. Here’s a quick guide on how to use JustFix and HPD’s databases:
- Visit JustFix: Go to the JustFix website, enter your building’s details, and search for your landlord’s information.
- Check HPD’s Website: Visit the HPD website to gather information on violations or any legal cases involving your landlord.
- Write a Letter: If you need to inform your landlord about an issue, JustFix offers a free service to write a legally strong letter.
- File a 311 Complaint: If you still aren’t getting a response, don’t hesitate to file a complaint through 311.
(source : newsbreak.com)
