How to Register Your Rental Property With HPD Online

What HPD registration is and why landlords do it

HPD registration is New York City's way of keeping a record of who owns and manages each rental building. HPD — the Department of Housing Preservation and Development — requires landlords to register their properties every year, and most of that registration now happens online through HPD's portal.

Registration serves two purposes: it tells the city who to contact if there are housing violations or complaints about the building, and it creates an official record that you own or manage the property. Without current registration, you cannot legally collect rent, and the city can fine you. If you own a building in New York City with rental units, you need to register it.

The online system replaced the old paper forms and makes the process faster — you can complete it from home, and you get confirmation when ready instead of waiting weeks. The registration year runs from July 1 to June 30, and you can register anytime during that window.

Key Takeaways

HPD registration happens online through the HPD Portal at hpdonline.hpd.nyc.gov, and you will need a username and password to log in.
You must register every year between July 1 and June 30, and registration covers all rental units in a single building under one owner or entity.
The registration form asks for the building address, number of units, owner and managing agent information, and contact details for receiving violations and complaints.
You will need your building's Block and Lot number (found on your property tax bill or through the Department of Finance) and information about anyone who manages the building on your behalf.
After you submit, HPD sends a confirmation email, and your registration is active when ready — you do not need to wait for a paper certificate.

How to create your HPD Portal account

Before you can register online, you need a login. Go to hpdonline.hpd.nyc.gov and click "Create Account" or "Register" (the exact wording changes occasionally, but it is always on the homepage). You will be asked for an email address, a password, and basic information about yourself — your name, phone number, and the address where HPD can reach you.

Use an email address you check regularly, because HPD sends confirmations and renewal reminders to that inbox. After you submit, HPD sends a verification email — click the link in that email to confirm your account is real. Once you verify, you can log in and start registering buildings.

If you manage multiple buildings, you use the same account for all of them. You do not need a separate login for each property.

Information you need before you start

Gather these documents and details before you log in, so you do not have to stop halfway through:

Building Block and Lot number: Find this on your property tax bill from the Department of Finance, or search for it free at nycproperty.nycgovparks.org by entering your address.
Building address: The street address where the rental units are located.
Number of rental units: Count only units that are rented to tenants, not owner-occupied units or vacant units you are not renting.
Owner information: Your name, address, and phone number if you own the building yourself. If the building is owned by a company or partnership, the legal name of that entity and the name of a contact person.
Managing agent information (if applicable): If someone else manages the building — a property manager, real estate company, or agent — their name, company, address, and phone number.
Superintendent or on-site manager: Name and phone number of anyone who lives in or manages the building day-to-day.

If you do not have all of this information right now, you can save your registration as a draft and come back to finish it later.

The step-by-step registration process

Log into the HPD Portal with your username and password. Click "Register a Building" or "New Registration" — again, the exact button name varies, but it is always clearly labeled on the main page after you log in.

The form is divided into sections. Start with the building address and Block and Lot number. The system will pull up your building's record if the information matches what HPD has on file. If it does not find your building, double-check the Block and Lot number — this is the most common reason registrations get stuck.

Next, enter the number of rental units and the year the building was constructed (if you know it; this is sometimes optional). Then fill in the owner information. If you own the building yourself, enter your name and address. If the building is owned by an LLC, corporation, or partnership, enter the legal name of that entity and the name of the person HPD should contact.

If a managing agent or property manager handles day-to-day operations, enter their information in the "Managing Agent" section. This is the person or company tenants contact about repairs and complaints. If you manage it yourself, you can leave this blank or enter your own name.

Enter the name and phone number of the superintendent or on-site manager — the person who lives in the building or is there most days. This is who HPD inspectors will try to reach if they need access to the building.

Review all the information for accuracy, then click "Submit" or "Register Building." The system will show a confirmation page with a registration number. Take a screenshot or write down this number — you may need it later if you have questions about your registration.

What happens after you submit

HPD sends a confirmation email to the address you used when you created your account. This email confirms that your registration was received and shows your registration number. Your registration is active when ready — you do not have to wait for anything else to arrive in the mail.

Keep the confirmation email and registration number for your records. If HPD ever contacts you about the building or if you need to update your information, you will reference this number.

Your registration is good for one year, from July 1 to June 30. Before the registration year ends, HPD will send you a renewal notice to the email address on file. You can renew online the same way you registered the first time — log in, click "Renew Registration," and update any information that has changed.

Updating your registration if information changes

If your contact information, managing agent, superintendent, or number of units changes during the registration year, you can update it online without waiting for the renewal period. Log into the HPD Portal, find your building in your account, and click "Edit" or "Update." Make the changes and submit. HPD will send a confirmation that the update was received.

Some changes — like a change in ownership — may require more than just an online update. If you sell the building or transfer ownership to another person or entity, contact HPD directly at 311 or through the portal to ask what documents they need.

Troubleshooting common registration problems

The system cannot find your building: This usually means the Block and Lot number is wrong or the address does not match HPD's records exactly. Go back to nycproperty.nycgovparks.org and search again, or call 311 and ask for the correct Block and Lot. Also check that you are entering the address of the building itself, not your mailing address.

You forgot your password: Click "Forgot Password" on the HPD Portal login page. HPD will send a reset link to your email. If you do not receive it, check your spam folder or create a new account with a different email address.

You registered but never received a confirmation email: Check your spam and junk folders first. If it is not there, log back into the HPD Portal and look for your building in your account — if it shows up there, your registration went through even if the email did not arrive. You can also call 311 and give them your registration number to confirm.

You need to register a building but do not have the Block and Lot number: Search for it free at nycproperty.nycgovparks.org by address, or call the Department of Finance at 311. Do not guess — using the wrong Block and Lot will cause problems later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register online, or can I still use paper forms?

HPD strongly prefers online registration and processes it faster, but you can request a paper form by calling 311. However, online is the standard now, and the portal is designed to be straightforward even if you are not comfortable with computers.

What if I own multiple buildings in New York City?

You register each building separately through the same HPD Portal account. After you log in, you can add a new building and register it using the same process. Each building gets its own registration number and renewal date.

Can I register a building if I am not the owner?

If you are a managing agent or property manager, you can register on behalf of the owner, but the owner's name and information must be listed as the owner on the form. The owner is ultimately responsible for the registration, even if someone else submits it.

What if my building has both rental units and owner-occupied units?

Register only the number of units that are rented to tenants. Owner-occupied units and vacant units you are not renting do not count toward the registration number.

When should I renew my registration?

You can renew anytime between July 1 and June 30. HPD will email you a renewal notice before the important date, but you do not have to wait for it — you can log in and renew as soon as the new registration year starts on July 1.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.