Vacate Order

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Call 911 to report people currently in a building or on property with a Vacate Order in effect.

The City may issue a partial or full Vacate Order on or near a building or space to ensure public safety from conditions that are:

  • Dangerous
  • Illegal
  • Damaged, by fire or other cause

Vacate Orders may be issued by:

  • Department of Buildings (DOB)
  • Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
  • Fire Department of New York City (FDNY)

The amount of time a vacate order is in effect depends on the severity of the problem and how soon an unsafe condition is corrected.

Vacate Order stickers are posted and may include:

  • Which agency issued the order
  • A QR code that links to the issuing agency's website for more information

You also can check the DOB Buildings Information System (BIS) or HPD Online for information on specific vacate orders by address.

In general, people are not allowed to enter structures or buildings that have vacate orders in effect. Only authorized personnel and property owners may be allowed entry to repair and/or inspect.

If you have seen people in the building but they have already left, you can report it to DOB. Violations are issued when appropriate.

Include in your report:

  • If you are the owner of the building
  • When the person was seen entering the building

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to report the problem.

Department of Buildings (DOB) Inspectors may issue a vacate order if they find a building to be unsafe. 

DOB contact information will be listed on the Vacate Order.

You can request information about vacate orders from DOB in the borough where the building is located.

Online

Learn more about vacate orders.

By Phone

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

You can see whether a vacate order has been issued or rescinded for a specific building.

Online

You can check HPD Online.

By Phone

You can request information about vacate orders from the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) at HPD.

  • Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development
  • Division: Special Enforcement Unit
  • Phone Number: (212) 863-8611
  • Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • Phone transfers are available 24/7. Agents are available Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. If you do not reach an agent, leave a voicemail with your name, phone number and the Address you’re being vacated from Your call will be returned within the next business day, except City holidays.

The Fire Department may issue a Vacate Order if a property is not in compliance with: 

  • Fire Code
  • Fire Department Rules

If you receive a FDNY Vacate Order Summons, you must:

  • Correct the unsafe condition 
  • Provide proof of the correction to the FDNY

Online

Learn more about Vacate Orders issued by the FDNY.

By Email

FDNY.BusinessSupport@fdny.nyc.gov

By Phone

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

Immediate Emergency Shelter

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development's (HPD) Emergency Housing Services (EHS) unit provides emergency relocation services and rehousing assistance to renters who have been displaced from their homes because of fires or city-issued vacate orders. The American Red Cross may provide immediate shelter upon confirmation of fire damage and/or vacate order issuance.

Contact the American Red Cross at 1-877-RED-CROSS (877-733-2767), Option 1.

Long Term Housing or Assistance

Tenants who need long term housing can contact HPD's EHS for eligibility assessment and registration.

Households with children will be placed in one of three Family Living Centers located in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. Adult-only households will be placed in single-room-occupancy hotels in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens. Housing placement is based on availability.

By Email

Email your questions to to EHS-remote@hpd.nyc.gov. Emails will be responded to within 72 business hours.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Housing Preservation and Development
  • Division: Emergency Housing Services
  • Phone Number: (212) 863-7660
  • Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • Phone transfers are available 24/7. Agents are available Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. If you do not reach an agent, leave a voicemail with your name, phone number and the Address you’re being vacated from Your call will be returned within the next business day, except City holidays.

If you are a property owner and you need information on how to rescind a vacate order, you should contact the agency that issued the vacate order.

Property Owners' Responsibility for Relocation Expenses

HPD is authorized to seek reimbursement for relocation expenses incurred by HPD from the owner of the vacated building pursuant to Admin. Code § 26-305.

Relocation charges accrue on an ongoing basis so long as HPD is paying for relocation services and relocation expenses. The charges accrue over time until HPD is no longer providing any services to vacated households.

Any questions about the relocation services HPD is providing after a vacate order has been issued and their associated charges may be directed to HPD via e-mail to RelocationExpenses@hpd.nyc.gov.

Please include:

  • Affected property address
  • Nature of your relationship with the property
  • Your detailed inquiry

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