I have a leak or plumbing problem.

Leaks can be intermittent — they may stop by the time an inspector arrives. Your photos and video become the evidence that the leak exists, even if things look dry during the inspection. They also document the damage to your apartment and belongings, which matters if you later seek compensation.

1. Take photos and video of the active leak. Capture the water coming in, dripping, or pooling. Video is especially powerful for leaks because it shows the rate and severity in a way photos can't.
2. Photograph all damage. Water stains on ceilings and walls, peeling or bubbling paint, warped floors, damaged furniture or belongings. Include wide shots showing the room and close-ups showing the damage detail.
3. Photograph the source if you can see it. A cracked pipe, dripping fixture, water stain spreading from the apartment above, damp patch growing on the ceiling. If the leak seems to be coming from outside your apartment (upstairs neighbor, roof, building pipe), photograph the area where it enters your space.
4. Keep a running log. Every time the leak is active: date, time, severity (drip vs. stream vs. pouring), and how long it lasts. Note when it stops. This pattern is valuable — a leak that happens every time it rains tells you it's the roof; one that happens when the upstairs neighbor showers tells you it's their plumbing.
5. Document any belongings that were damaged. Take photos of damaged items with context showing the water damage. Keep receipts if you have them — you may need these later.

All photos and video, your written log, and any records of damaged belongings. Back everything up — email the files to yourself or save them to cloud storage. Don't risk losing them if your phone breaks.

Most landlords will respond to a written complaint about a leak — especially an active one — because water damage gets worse fast and they know it. Even if they don't respond, this letter creates the paper trail you need for everything that comes next. A text or a verbal complaint to your super is not enough — it has to be in writing, and you need a copy.

1. Write a short, factual message. Email is fine. If you don't have an email for them, send a letter by USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt.
2. Be specific about where the leak is, how long it's been happening, and any damage it's causing.
3. If the leak appears to be coming from another apartment or a building system, say so. This makes clear it's the landlord's problem, not a neighbor dispute.
4. Attach photos if you're sending email.
5. Keep a copy of what you sent and any response.

A responsive landlord will acknowledge your message within a day or two and arrange for a plumber to inspect. What to watch out for: a landlord who sends the super to "look at it" and then nothing happens, or who patches a visible stain without finding and fixing the source. A ceiling repaint is not a plumbing repair. If your landlord proposes a cosmetic fix or stops responding, move to Step 3.

A 311 complaint triggers an HPD inspection. The inspector will check the leak, assess the damage, and classify the violation. For serious leaks (active water, no water supply, sewage), this is what puts legal pressure on your landlord with real deadlines.

• By phone: Call 311. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use TTY at (212) 504-4115
• Online: Go to portal.311.nyc.gov and search for "water leak" or "plumbing."
• Mobile app: Download the NYC 311 app (iOS or Android). The app lets you upload your photos directly.

• HPD may contact your landlord first to give them a chance to fix the problem.
• If the problem isn't fixed, HPD sends an inspector to check for the leak and assess the damage. The inspector will classify the violation.
• Once a violation is issued, your landlord has the legally required time to fix it: 24 hours for Class C (no water, sewage, major leak), 30 days for Class B (leaking fixture, minor pipe leak), or 90 days for Class A.
• For emergencies (flooding, sewage backup, no water): 311 can escalate your complaint for faster response. Make sure to say it's an emergency.

You need to know whether HPD has actually inspected, what class of violation was issued, and whether your landlord is on track to fix it within the legal time frame. This is also the moment to escalate if things aren't moving.

1. Go to HPDOnline and enter your building's address.
2. Look for open plumbing or leak violations. Common HPD language includes "repair the plumbing," "abate the leak condition," or "trace and repair the source of the leak."
3. Note the violation number, date issued, and class. The class tells you how many days your landlord has.
4. Save a screenshot or print the page.

Violations typically appear online within a few days of the inspection. If your complaint doesn't show up at all, the inspection may not have happened yet, or the inspector didn't find a violation — in which case, call 311 again and request another inspection.

Important: If your landlord "certifies" they fixed the leak but it's still happening, you can challenge the certification. HPD will re-inspect and, if the condition still exists, the violation will be upgraded to a more serious class.

By this point, you've given your landlord multiple chances and the city has been involved. If the leak is still happening, you have stronger options — but most involve legal or advocacy help, and you shouldn't try them alone.

Free, staffed by trained volunteers, and the best starting point for figuring out what to do next.

• Phone: 212-979-0611
• Hours: Mon & Wed 1:30–8 PM, Fri 1:30–5 PM.
• Heads up: The hotline is very busy — call after 4 PM if you can, and avoid Mondays.

A legal proceeding asking a judge to order your landlord to fix the leak and repair the damage. You can file one yourself or with help from a free legal services organization. An HP Action can result in a court order forcing the landlord to make repairs, plus fines.

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) can order a rent reduction when essential services aren't provided. Use Form RA-81 for an individual apartment or Form RA-84 for a building-wide issue. Call DHCR at 833-499-0343 for forms.

NYC's Right to Counsel program provides free lawyers to low-income tenants facing housing issues. The Met Council hotline (option A) can help you figure out if you qualify.