The NYC heat season officially ends on Saturday, May 31, 2026 — and on June 1, the rules for what you can report to 311 flip completely. If your apartment has been too cold this spring, you have until the end of the month to file a heat complaint that HPD can still enforce under heat-season law. After May 31, “no heat” stops being a violation, and a brand-new complaint type — excessive heat — opens up. Here is exactly what changes, and how to file the right complaint on the right side of the calendar.
Who This Helps
This guide is for NYC renters — especially tenants in older buildings, rent-stabilized apartments, and anyone whose landlord has been slow to fix a cold apartment this spring. It also helps tenants who lose hot water at any time of year, because hot water rules never go on a seasonal break.
What “Heat Season” Actually Means
Under New York City law, building owners are required to provide heat from October 1 through May 31. During that window, the temperature standards are specific and enforceable. According to NYC311’s official heat and hot water guidance:
- Between 6 AM and 10 PM: if the outdoor temperature falls below 55°F, your apartment must be at least 68°F inside.
- Between 10 PM and 6 AM: your apartment must be at least 62°F inside, with no outdoor temperature trigger at all.
These standards are what HPD inspectors measure against. If your landlord falls short during heat season, that is a documented violation — and the city can ticket the owner for it.
The June 1 Switchover: What Changes
Starting June 1, 2026, the “no heat” complaint no longer applies, because owners are not legally required to provide heat in the summer. But the calendar flip opens a different door. Per NYC311, excessive heat complaints are only accepted between June 1 and September 30. This is the summer counterpart most tenants do not know exists.
So the practical takeaway is simple: a too-cold apartment is a spring problem you must report by May 31. A dangerously hot apartment is a summer problem you can report starting June 1. The two complaint types do not overlap.
The One Rule That Never Takes a Day Off: Hot Water
Heat is seasonal. Hot water is not. NYC311 is explicit: hot water must be provided 365 days per year at a constant minimum temperature of 120°F. That means even in July, if your taps run cold, you can file a hot water complaint and HPD will treat it as an enforceable condition. Do not let a landlord tell you hot water problems are “seasonal” — they are not.
How to Take Action — File a Heat or Hot Water Complaint
If your apartment is too cold and it is still May, do not wait. Here is the step-by-step:
- Try your landlord first. NYC311 advises contacting your landlord, managing agent, or superintendent before filing. If you live in a co-op or condo, report to the management company or board first. Keep a written record (text or email) of when you asked and what they said.
- Call 311 and say “heat complaint” or “hot water complaint.” You can also file online at the NYC311 portal or through the free NYC311 mobile app for iOS and Android.
- Have ready: your address, apartment number, and a contact phone number. For a building-wide outage, you can file a building-wide complaint instead of an apartment-only one.
- Expect a callback. HPD will try to reach your building’s managing agent to warn them a violation may be issued, and will also try to call you back to confirm whether the condition was fixed. If you say it was fixed, the complaint closes.
- If it is not fixed, a uniformed HPD Code Enforcement inspector is sent to your apartment. The owner is not told the inspection date in advance. While there, the inspector also checks for non-working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, lead paint (if a child under six lives there), window guards (child under 11), mold, and rodents.
If the Landlord Still Does Nothing
You are not out of options. According to NYC311, if you filed a complaint and your owner did not fix the problem, you can take legal action in Housing Court. This is why documentation matters: save every text, email, and 311 service-request number so you can show the timeline. You can look up your complaint and your building’s violation history any time using HPD Online.
Repeatedly cutting off essential services like heat, water, or electricity can also count as tenant harassment, which is illegal in NYC. If you believe your landlord is doing this deliberately to push you out, you can report it — start at the NYC311 Tenant Harassment page.
A Note for NYCHA and Rent-Regulated Tenants
If you live in NYCHA public housing, do not use the standard heat complaint — use the NYCHA Public Housing Maintenance Complaint path instead. And if you are in a rent-controlled or rent-stabilized apartment, there is additional tenant support available through the Rent Regulated Apartments resources.
The Bottom Line
Mark your calendar: May 31 is your last day to file a heat complaint that HPD enforces under heat-season rules. If your apartment was cold this spring and the problem was never fixed, file now. Come June 1, switch your thinking to summer — excessive heat complaints open, and hot water complaints stay open all year long. We’re here to help you navigate this, and the city’s enforcement system works far better when you know which complaint to file and when.
This article provides general information about NYC housing rules and is not legal advice. For your specific situation, contact a lawyer or a tenant legal-aid organization.
