Common NYC Building Code Violations & How to Fix Them

With public safety a high priority for the New York City of Department of Buildings, and over a million structures to govern, strict rules and regulations are in place to protect the city’s many citizens. This is all well and good, but if you’re a building owner, are you aware of what rules you should be following? If you’re not, you could get hit with a New York building code violation; a very serious matter.

Read on to know more about the most common building code violations in New York City and how to resolve them:

What are the different types of building violations?

Issued for anything from structural to environmental infractions, building code violations can include – but are not limited to – the following:

• Failure to provide residents with adequate heat and hot water 

One of the most common violations involves the interior temperature of a building: it must be maintained at 68 degrees inside when the temperature outside is less than 55 degrees during the day, and be maintained at 55 degrees inside when the exterior temperature falls below 40 degrees at nighttime. Hot water must also be provided for residents at all times, at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees.

• Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors not installed

For any dwelling or commercial space, the building owner is required by law to provide at least one carbon monoxide and smoke detector (one of each), and should be of the type that emits a warning sound when the battery is running low so that it can be replaced.

• Keyed door and window locks

Having to stop and locate a key to open a door or window in an emergency situation, could be a matter of life and death, and this violation is taken extremely seriously.

• Pests and mold

While the tenants of a building must be responsible for preventing the growth of excess mold or attracting pests due to unhygienic conditions, the owner of the building is ultimately responsible for any unchecked conditions that have become a public health hazard.

What are the penalties for building code violations?

While a minor violation may result in a warning, severe violations can be used as a premise for a criminal court summons and prosecution. When this happens, you’ll need to find a qualified violation removal specialist, who will not only represent you in court and obtain the relevant permits, but carry out the necessary repair work, too.

What happens if it’s a minor infraction?

For minor violations, you may receive a warning and manage to surpass a financial penalty, but it’s important to note that each time a building is sold, bought or renovated, when a title search is conducted, it will reveal all code violations that occurred, whatever their size and gravity. Property developers may be less inclined to purchase a building that comes with violations, so, even if you receive only a warning for a building code violation, you must deal with the infringement irrespective of how insignificant you believe it to be.

Fixing a NYC building code violation:

Made simple with the help of a professional code violation removal company, they will work to restore clear title to any property with code violations, and with their team of architectural engineering experts, master plumbers and electricians, not to mention zoning code experts, they will resolve any violation swiftly and economically.

If you’ve been hit with a NYC building code violation, don’t panic, simply reach out to a professional violation removal company and the issue can be efficiently resolved.