NYC properties accumulate violations from HPD (housing maintenance), DOB (building code), DEP (water/sewer), DSNY (sanitation), and ECB/OATH (the hearings court that issues the fines). Open violations don't legally block a sale, but they show up in the title report and they shape the deal.
Retail buyers and their lenders often refuse to close until violations are cured. Cash buyers and investors will close with violations open, sometimes taking a credit at closing to handle them post-sale.
Outstanding ECB judgments can become liens on the property and, like tax or water liens, get paid off from sale proceeds at closing. Don't let unpaid fines scare you out of selling — they're routine to handle on the title side.
If you're staring at a violation history and not sure where to start, pull a current ACRIS and BIS report. That gives you the real picture before you make any decisions.