What HPD registration means and why your building needs it
HPD registration is a legal requirement in New York City for almost every building with rental units. The Housing Preservation Department — the city agency that oversees rental housing — requires owners to file a registration statement every year that lists the building's address, number of units, number of stories, and the owner's contact information. Without it, the building cannot legally collect rent.
The registration itself does not determine rent amounts, set lease terms, or grant any permission to operate. It is a record-keeping requirement. HPD uses the data to track which buildings exist, how many rental units are in the city, and who owns them. Tenants can look up their building's registration to verify the owner's name and check whether the building is legally registered.
Buildings with one or two family units that are owner-occupied are exempt. Most other residential buildings — including those with rent-stabilized units, market-rate apartments, and buildings receiving tax benefits — must register every year by March 15.
Key Takeaways
- HPD registration is an annual filing requirement for nearly all rental buildings in New York City, due by March 15 each year.
- You can register online through HPD's website using the building's address and owner information, or file by mail with a paper form.
- The registration statement includes the building address, number of units and stories, owner name and address, and managing agent information if one is used.
- Tenants can search the HPD registration database to confirm their building is registered and to find the owner's contact details.
- Failure to register can result in fines and prevents the owner from collecting rent legally, though the city may issue notices before penalties begin.
How to register online through HPD's system
The fastest way to register is through HPD's online portal at hpdonline.hpdnyc.org. You will need the building's address, the number of rental units, the number of stories, and the owner's name and mailing address. If a managing agent handles the building, you will also need their name and address.
Log in with your HPD account or create one using an email address. Enter the building information, review it for accuracy, and submit. HPD will send a confirmation email. The online system is open year-round, and you can file at any time before the March 15 important date. If you file after March 15, the registration is still accepted, but the building may be subject to a late fee.
Keep the confirmation number HPD provides. If there is a dispute later about whether the building was registered, that number is your proof of filing.
Paper registration by mail if you cannot file online
If you do not have internet access or prefer to file by mail, HPD accepts paper forms. Request the registration form from HPD's main office at 100 Gold Street, New York, NY 10038, or read it from the HPD website. Fill it out completely with the same information required for online filing: building address, unit count, story count, owner details, and managing agent information if applicable.
Mail the completed form to HPD's address with a check or money order for the registration fee if one applies. Keep a copy for your records. Mail filing takes longer to process than online filing, so submit it well before March 15 if you want confirmation before the important date.
HPD will send a confirmation notice by mail once the form is received and processed. This can take several weeks, so do not assume the registration did not go through if you do not hear back when ready.
What information HPD requires on the registration statement
The registration form asks for the building's street address, borough, block and lot number (which you can find on your property tax bill), the number of rental units, and the number of stories. You must also provide the owner's full name, mailing address, and phone number. If the owner is a corporation or LLC, provide the entity name and the name of a person authorized to receive notices.
If a managing agent or property manager handles day-to-day operations, include their name, business address, and phone number. HPD uses this information so tenants and the city can contact the right person about building issues. If the managing agent changes during the year, you should update the registration.
Do not leave fields blank. If a field does not explore to your building, write "N/A" or "None" so HPD knows the information was reviewed and intentionally omitted.
How tenants can look up building registration information
Tenants can search HPD's registration database online at hpdonline.hpdnyc.org to confirm their building is registered and to find the owner's name and address. Enter the building's street address or block and lot number. The database will show the registered owner, managing agent if one is listed, number of units, and the date of the most recent registration.
This information is public record. Tenants use it to verify who legally owns the building, to contact the owner about repairs or lease issues, and to check whether the building is current on its registration. If a building does not appear in the database, it may not be registered, which is a violation of city law.
If you find an error in your building's registration — for example, the wrong number of units or an outdated managing agent — contact HPD to request a correction. The owner must file an amended registration.
Penalties for not registering or registering late
Buildings that do not register by March 15 may face fines. The amount varies depending on how late the filing is and whether it is the first violation or a repeat offense. HPD typically issues a notice of violation before collecting a fine, giving the owner time to register and potentially avoid the penalty.
More seriously, an unregistered building cannot legally collect rent. If a tenant withholds rent because the building is not registered, the owner cannot sue for eviction based on non-payment. This is a powerful incentive for owners to register on time, and it is why tenants sometimes use the threat of withholding rent to pressure owners to register.
If HPD discovers a building is operating without registration, the agency can issue violations and fines to the owner. Repeated violations can result in higher penalties and may trigger additional city inspections or enforcement actions.
What happens after you register
Once registered, the building remains in HPD's system for that year. You must file a new registration statement every year by March 15 to keep the building current. If the building's information changes — the number of units, the managing agent, or the owner's address — you should file an amended registration to update the record.
HPD does not send renewal reminders, so mark your calendar for March 15 each year. If you miss the important date, file as soon as you realize it. Late registrations are still accepted and processed, though they may incur a fee.
Registration does not expire or require renewal in the sense that you do not have to reapply for permission. It is straightforward an annual filing to keep HPD's records current. As long as the building continues to operate as a rental building, registration is required every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my building is owner-occupied and I do not rent any units?
If you live in the building and do not rent any units to tenants, the building is exempt from HPD registration. However, if you rent even one unit — whether it is a basement apartment, a room, or a full floor — the building must be registered. The exemption applies only to owner-occupied buildings with no rental units at all.
Can I register a building I just bought before the current owner's registration expires?
Yes. When you buy a building, you should file a new registration statement with your name as the owner. The previous owner's registration remains on file for that year, but you can file an updated registration when ready after closing. This ensures HPD's records reflect the current owner and prevents confusion if a tenant tries to contact the owner.
What if I do not know my building's block and lot number?
You can find the block and lot number on your property tax bill, or you can search for it on the NYC Department of Finance website using your building's address. HPD's online system also allows you to search by address alone, so you do not have to provide the block and lot number if you do not have it, though including it speeds up processing.
Can a tenant file the registration if the owner refuses to do it?
Tenants cannot file the registration themselves — only the owner or an authorized representative can register the building with HPD. However, if a building is not registered, tenants can report it to HPD or use the non-registration as a defense against eviction for non-payment of rent. Some tenant advocacy groups also help tenants pressure owners to register by explaining the legal consequences.
What if my managing agent changes during the year?
File an amended registration with HPD listing the new managing agent's information. This ensures tenants and the city have the correct contact information for building issues. You do not have to wait until the next annual registration important date — you can update the information anytime during the year.