Certification of no harassment is an NYC HPD review mechanism that can apply before certain Department of Buildings construction approvals for covered residential properties. It is aimed at examining whether tenant harassment occurred during the applicable review period.
Owners should determine whether their building and proposed work fall within a CONH program before assuming a DOB filing can proceed normally. NYC Local Law 138 of 2026 materially changed the legal framework, and some amendments take effect in 2027.
Before planning DOB work, confirm whether the building is covered and which program rules apply to the proposed filing. Related property records and permit-coordination requirements appear in the NYC HPD Housing Code and Property Compliance Resource Center.
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CONH generally applies to qualifying single-room-occupancy buildings, specified special districts, and buildings covered under the program list or other statutory criteria. Covered work can include certain demolition, changes to use or occupancy, changes to dwelling-unit layouts, and other defined alteration categories.
CONH is not a routine HPD violation-certification form. It is a separate review connected to planned DOB work; any HPD violation history and tenant complaints may be relevant to the broader factual record.
Confirm the legal building classification, zoning location, applicable program list, and proposed construction category. A building in one of the listed geographic areas may be covered even without a particular open HPD NOV.
Do not assume that every interior alteration or every residential building triggers CONH. The precise work scope and covered-program status should be reviewed using HPD guidance, DOB project information, and qualified counsel when appropriate. Certification of no harassment eligibility should be evaluated against the correct property classification, program list, proposed DOB work, and current effective dates.
An owner subject to CONH generally applies to HPD with prescribed information and fees. HPD notifies tenants and other parties and investigates whether harassment occurred during the legally relevant inquiry period.
If HPD determines that reasonable cause exists, OATH may conduct the required fact-finding process. OATH does not grant the owner a DOB permit; HPD makes the CONH determination and DOB handles its separate construction approvals. For certification of no harassment, preserve the application submission, required tenant notices, and ultimate HPD determination.
SLK Buildings can organize building and application records, coordinate filing schedules with design professionals, and identify outstanding agency documents. CONH eligibility disputes, legal conclusions, and major permitting risk should be reviewed by qualified counsel and escalated to SLK ownership.
NYC Local Law 138 was enacted September 12, 2026, making the pilot framework permanent and adding criteria for certain buildings. The law takes effect immediately in part, but sections one through six take effect April 15, 2027.
Existing program-list provisions continue as described in the law until the replacement list is published. Because HPD’s public guidance can still contain pilot-era wording, verify the controlling current law, building list, and effective dates before any consequential filing.
A CONH requirement may need resolution before DOB can approve specified covered work. Engage the architect, filing representative, and legal advisers early, before making demolition or occupancy commitments.
A CONH determination is not an architectural approval, legalization of prior work, or a waiver of other agency requirements. Treat HPD and DOB conditions as separate items in the project schedule. A pending certification of no harassment application is not the same as a DOB construction permit; the two agency actions must be sequenced separately.
For certification of no harassment, confirm the property category, work scope, program list, effective law, and applicable filing documents.
The applicable agency notice, property characteristics, and current official instructions control the outcome. Some owners need more than one filing: the underlying repair, the administrative submission, and the resulting official status may move on different schedules. Preserve dated evidence and do not interpret a pending application as approval.
To discuss building-specific documentation and coordination needs, contact SLK Buildings. Provide the building address, notice or filing numbers when available, and the current status of any urgent conditions.
Disclaimer: SLK Buildings is a private business and is not affiliated with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), or any other government agency. Information on this website is provided for general educational purposes and does not replace legal, architectural, engineering, environmental, or other licensed professional advice. Requirements, eligibility, deadlines, fees, violation statuses, approvals, and agency determinations depend on the applicable law, agency procedures, and the circumstances of each property. Where licensed or otherwise qualified professionals are required, their services must be obtained separately as appropriate. SLK Buildings may assist with research, documentation, and coordination within its agreed scope but does not issue government approvals or guarantee violation dismissal, fee reductions, processing times, or outcomes.
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) requirements affect many residential properties. Owners and managers may need to confirm annual registration, investigate an HPD complaint, correct a cited housing condition, or submit documentation before a violation can be closed.
HPD requirements may overlap with DOB construction permits, DOHMH public health matters, FDNY fire safety, and DOF emergency-repair charges. The correct path depends on the building, the notice or order received, the proposed repair, and whether work by qualified or licensed professionals is required.
SLK Buildings assists with HPD records research, property registration coordination, violation review, correction and certification documentation, agency follow-up, and related DOB or other agency coordination within its agreed scope of services.
Whether a property is preparing an annual filing, responding to an HPD inspection, correcting a hazardous condition, or confirming that a submission was accepted, consistent records and clear next actions help owners and project teams coordinate their obligations.
SLK Buildings provides free educational content to help property owners, managing agents, landlords, contractors, and project teams understand HPD registration, housing-code inspections, violation classes, correction and certification, required notices, emergency repairs, and related DOB and other agency requirements.
For those who prefer professional assistance, SLK Buildings is available to coordinate HPD record review, registration information, correction documentation, repair and agency-response tracking, and necessary coordination with qualified contractors or design professionals. Final decisions and regulated work remain with the responsible agencies and appropriately qualified providers.
Disclaimer: SLK Buildings is a private business and is not affiliated with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), or any other government agency. Information on this website is provided for general educational purposes and does not replace legal, architectural, engineering, environmental, or other licensed professional advice. Requirements, eligibility, deadlines, fees, violation statuses, approvals, and agency determinations depend on the applicable law, agency procedures, and the circumstances of each property. Where licensed or otherwise qualified professionals are required, their services must be obtained separately as appropriate. SLK Buildings may assist with research, documentation, and coordination within its agreed scope but does not issue government approvals or guarantee violation dismissal, fee reductions, processing times, or outcomes.
No. It applies only to covered buildings and covered construction activities.
No. Local Law 138 of 2026 changed the legal framework, with some amendments taking effect April 15, 2027.
No. DOB construction and occupancy approvals are separate.
