I have pests in my apartment.

An HPD inspector may not be able to see pests directly during a visit — especially bedbugs, which hide during the day. Your photos and written records become the evidence that an infestation exists, even if nothing is visible the moment the inspector walks in.

1. Photograph the pests themselves if you can. Live pests, dead pests, droppings, egg casings, chew marks on food packaging, grease trails along walls (for roaches or rats), bite marks on your skin (for bedbugs)
2. Photograph where they're getting in. Holes around pipes, cracks in walls or floors, gaps under doors, broken window screens. This matters a lot because IPM requires sealing these.
3. Keep a running log. Every sighting, every bite, every droppings find. Date, time, location in the apartment, what you saw.
4. Photograph any conditions that are attracting them: standing water, holes in the wall, garbage storage issues in the common areas, food debris in the super's domain
5. For bedbugs specifically: photograph the bites in sequence over a few days to show a pattern, and check your mattress seams, box spring, and headboard crevices for live bugs or rust-colored stains

All photos, your written log, any pest sightings from neighbors (if they'll share), and any medical records if you've seen a doctor for bites or allergic reactions. Back everything up somewhere — email the photos to yourself or save them to cloud storage.

Most landlords will respond to a written complaint, especially if you reference Local Law 55 and the IPM requirements. Even if they don't, this letter creates the paper trail you need for everything that follows. A text or a verbal complaint to your super is not enough.

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 the type of pest, where you've seen them, and how long the problem has existed.
3. Explicitly ask for IPM-compliant treatment by a licensed exterminator — not just a can of spray.
4. If you suspect the pests are coming from a neighboring apartment, say so. Your landlord has an obligation to inspect and treat neighboring units.
5. Attach photos if you're sending email.

A responsive landlord will acknowledge your message within a few days and schedule a professional exterminator. What to watch out for: a landlord who sends the super with a can of spray, puts down a few traps, or tells you to "keep it cleaner." None of that is legal pest control under NYC law. If your landlord proposes a shortcut, push back in writing — or move to Step 3.

A 311 complaint triggers an HPD inspection. The inspector will check for signs of the infestation and, if they find evidence, issue a violation that starts the legal clock on your landlord. Even if the inspector doesn't see a live pest during the visit, droppings, damage, or other evidence is enough to issue a violation.

• 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 the specific pest (e.g., "mice," "rats," "cockroaches," or "bedbugs")
• 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 evidence of pests.
• Once a violation is issued, your landlord has the legally required time to fix it: 21 days for mice/rats/roaches (Class C), 30 days for bedbugs or other pests (Class B)
• Your landlord must use IPM and hire a licensed exterminator for pesticide use — not have the super do it.

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.

1. Go to HPDOnline and enter your building's address.
2. Look for open pest violations. They'll be classified by pest type.
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 evidence — in which case, call 311 again and request another inspection.

Important: If your landlord "certifies" they fixed the problem but you're still seeing pests, you can challenge the certification. HPD will re-inspect and, if the condition still exists, the violation will be upgraded.

By this point, you've given your landlord multiple chances and the city has been involved. If the pests are still there, 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 infestation. 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 exterminate, 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.