In New York City, Local Law 55 (also called the Asthma‑Free Housing Act) was enacted by the City Council in January 2018 and went into effect January 19, 2019. It requires owners of buildings with three or more residential units—and in some cases any rented unit where a tenant has asthma—to prevent and remedy indoor allergen hazards like mold, cockroaches, rats, and mice.
Under this law, owners must conduct annual inspections in each unit and common areas to identify and remediate these hazards, respond promptly to tenant complaints, and ensure apartments are clean and free of pests and mold before a new tenant moves in. Landlords are required to follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, which include sealing entry points, fixing leaks, reducing clutter, and using safe pest control methods through licensed professionals. For mold conditions affecting more than 10 square feet in buildings with 10 or more units, owners must hire a licensed mold assessor and a separate licensed mold remediator to handle the remediation safely and in compliance with state and city requirements. Additionally, landlords must provide tenants with a fact sheet and notice about Local Law 55 at lease signing and renewal to inform them of their rights and responsibilities under the law.
Failure to comply may result in violations issued by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), leading to fines and enforcement actions.
