A new Department of Buildings regulation blocks owners of residential buildings considered “hazardous” from obtaining new construction permits.
Mayor de Blasio joined Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Melanie La Rocca to announce the restrictions for landlords who pile up multiple violations and use poor building maintenance as a tool to harass their tenants.
Building owners placed on the DOB list will be prevented from obtaining new permits until the violations are resolved, except in situations where permits are necessary to correct a violation.
“If you cannot maintain your buildings, it is more than fair to block you from building new ones,” said Council Member Robert Cornegy.
The restriction will apply to violations issued on or after January 4, 2020, the date Local Law 104 went into effect, and address violations not T certified as having been resolved with DOB or cleared by HPD.
“We are looking out for tenants and pushing landlords to take responsibility for their properties,” said Buildings Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca. “This new measure sends a clear message to bad actors: No more business as usual. It’s past time to bring your existing buildings into compliance and derelict buildings up to code.”
