What HPD Registration Is and Why You Need It

HPD registration is New York City's system for recording who owns and manages each rental building. If you own or manage a rental property in New York City, you must register it with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). The city uses this registration to track building compliance, respond to tenant complaints, and enforce housing codes.

Registration is not optional — it is a legal requirement for any building with one or more rental units. The registration must be renewed every two years. If you do not register or let your registration lapse, HPD can issue violations and fines.

The registration process itself is straightforward and can be done online through HPD's website. You will need basic information about the building, the owner, and the managing agent (if one exists). Most owners complete registration in under an hour.

Key Takeaways

  • HPD registration is required for all rental buildings in New York City and must be renewed every two years.
  • You can register online through HPD's website using the building's address, owner information, and managing agent details if applicable.
  • Registration costs a fee that varies based on the number of units in the building.
  • Failure to register or renew on time can result in violations and fines from HPD.
  • You will receive a registration number once the process is complete, which you must display in the building's lobby.

Who Must Register and When

You must register if you own or manage a building with rental units in New York City. This includes owners of single-family homes with one rental unit, small apartment buildings, and large complexes. The requirement applies whether you rent to market-rate tenants, rent-stabilized tenants, or a mix of both.

Registration is due every two years from the date of your last registration. HPD sends renewal notices by mail to the owner's address on file, but you are responsible for renewing on time even if you do not receive the notice. If your registration expires, you have a grace period to renew before violations are issued, but do not rely on this — renew as soon as you receive the notice.

If you recently purchased a building, you must register it within 30 days of taking ownership. If you are a new managing agent for a building, you must update the registration to reflect the change.

How to Register Online Through HPD

HPD's online registration system is called the Housing Maintenance Registration System (HMRS). You access it through HPD's website. The process requires you to create an account using an email address and password, then enter information about your building and ownership.

Before you start, gather these documents: the building's address and block and lot number (found on your property tax bill or the NYC Department of Finance website), the owner's name and contact information, and the managing agent's name and contact information if you use one. You will also need to know the number of rental units in the building and whether any units are rent-stabilized.

Log into HMRS, select "Register a Building" or "Renew Registration" depending on whether this is your first time, and fill in each section. The system will ask for the owner's mailing address, phone number, and email. If a managing agent handles day-to-day operations, enter their information as well. Review all information before submitting — errors can delay processing or cause the registration to be rejected.

After you submit, HPD processes the registration and sends a confirmation email. You will receive a registration number, which you must post in the building's lobby in a visible location. Keep the confirmation email and registration number for your records.

Registration Fees and Payment

HPD charges a registration fee based on the number of rental units in your building. The fee structure changes periodically, so check HPD's website for the current rates before you register. Fees are paid online as part of the registration process using a credit or debit card.

If you are renewing an existing registration, the fee is the same as for a new registration. There are no discounts for buildings with multiple owners or managing agents — the fee is based only on the unit count.

If your registration is rejected because of incomplete or incorrect information, you can resubmit without paying the fee again. However, if you submit a complete registration and then need to make changes, you may have to pay a new fee depending on what changed.

What Happens After You Register

Once HPD processes your registration, you will receive a registration number by email. This number is your proof of registration. You must display it in the building's lobby on a sign that is at least 8.5 by 11 inches and clearly visible to tenants and visitors. The sign should include the registration number, the owner's name, and the managing agent's name if applicable.

HPD uses your registration information to send notices about building violations, tenant complaints, and code enforcement actions. Make sure the mailing address and email on file are current so you do not miss important notices. You can update your information by logging back into HMRS at any time.

Your registration is valid for two years from the date it is approved. HPD will send a renewal notice to your mailing address about 60 days before expiration. Renew promptly — if your registration lapses, HPD can issue violations and fines, and tenants may have grounds to withhold rent or file complaints.

Common Reasons Registration Is Rejected

The most common reason for rejection is incomplete information. If you leave a required field blank or enter information that does not match city records, HPD will reject the submission. Check that the building address matches your property tax bill exactly, including any apartment numbers or building designations.

Another frequent issue is providing an incorrect block and lot number. This number identifies your property in the city's records and must be exact. If you are unsure, look it up on the NYC Department of Finance website or your property tax bill before you submit.

If you list a managing agent, make sure their information is current. If the managing agent has changed, update the registration when ready. Outdated managing agent information can cause HPD notices to go to the wrong person, which may result in missed important date.

If your registration is rejected, HPD will send an email explaining why. Read the message carefully, correct the information, and resubmit. You do not pay the fee again for a resubmission of the same registration.

Keeping Your Registration Current

After you register, your responsibility does not end. You must keep the information current and renew on time every two years. If your ownership changes, your managing agent changes, or your mailing address changes, log back into HMRS and update your registration. These changes do not require a new fee — they are updates to your existing registration.

Set a reminder on your calendar for 60 days before your registration expires. When the renewal notice arrives, process it when ready rather than waiting until the last minute. If you move or change your email address, update your contact information in HMRS so you continue to receive renewal notices.

Keep copies of all registration confirmations and renewal receipts. If HPD ever questions whether your building is registered, you can provide proof when ready. This protects you if a tenant files a complaint or if HPD conducts an inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I own multiple buildings in New York City?

Each building must be registered separately. Log into HMRS and register each building using its own address and block and lot number. You can use the same owner and managing agent information across multiple registrations, but each building gets its own registration number and renewal date.

Can I register by mail or phone instead of online?

HPD's primary registration method is online through HMRS. If you cannot register online, contact HPD's Housing Maintenance Registration office by phone or visit in person to ask about alternative options. However, online registration is faster and you will receive confirmation when ready.

What if I do not know my building's block and lot number?

Look it up on your property tax bill from the Department of Finance, or search the NYC Department of Finance website using your building's address. You can also call the Department of Finance or HPD to request this information. Do not guess — the number must be exact for registration to be accepted.

What happens if my registration expires and I do not renew?

HPD can issue violations and fines for operating an unregistered building. Tenants may also have grounds to file complaints or withhold rent. Renew as soon as you receive the renewal notice to avoid these consequences.

Do I need to register if I only rent out one room in my home?

If you rent any unit or room in your building to a tenant, HPD registration is required. This includes single-family homes where you rent out one room or one apartment. The only exception is if you live in the building and rent out a room on a temporary basis, but this has specific rules — contact HPD to confirm your situation.