New York City property owners can receive violations from several agencies — the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the Department of Buildings (DOB), and the Environmental Control Board (ECB) most commonly. Violations can be issued for everything from peeling paint and missing smoke detectors to unpermitted construction and unsafe conditions. Each violation typically comes with a fine, a deadline to correct the issue, and the possibility of escalating penalties if it is ignored.
What makes violations especially complicated for sellers is that they attach to the property itself, not just the owner — meaning open violations and unpaid fines have to be resolved (or negotiated) before a clean sale can close. Some violations require contractor work and re-inspection; others can be cleared with paperwork. Understanding which violations you have, what each one requires, and what the realistic cost is to resolve them is the right first step. Sam can walk you through it.