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Vacate Order

Your apartment/or building was issued a Vacate Order by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) because it is deemed unsafe to occupy due to:

  • dangerous structural conditions, or
  • dangerous façade conditions, or
  • inadequate fire protection, or
  • inadequate or blocked egress, or
  • occupancy contrary to that allowed by law, or
  • other conditions which are immediately hazardous to the life and safety of tenants.

Under these circumstances, a Vacate Order would be issued and posted in a prominent place. The details are provided on the posted order, and you can request information from the DOB Construction Unit in the borough where the building is located. Contact the borough Construction Unit:

Bronx (718) 960-4730 or BXConstEnf@buildings.nyc.gov
Brooklyn (718) 802-3684/3685 or BKConstEnf@buildings.nyc.gov
Manhattan (212) 323-7288 or MNConstEnf@buildings.nyc.gov
Queens (718) 286-8360 or QConstructionEnforcement@buildings.nyc.gov
Staten Island (718) 420-5416 or SIConstEnf@buildings.nyc.gov

Vacate Orders can be limited to a portion of a building or structure (Partial Vacate) or the entire property (Full Vacate). The amount of time a Vacate Order is in effect depends on the severity of the problem and how soon the unsafe condition is corrected. While the Vacate Order is in effect you are not allowed to enter the building.

Emergency Shelter

If you need shelter or emergency relocation services, please contact:

  • American Red Cross/Disaster Services
    (877) RED-CROSS/(877) 733-2767
    520 West 49 Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues)
    New York, NY 10019
  • NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
    Attn: Emergency Housing Services (EHS)
    (212) 863-7660
    100 Gold Street
    New York, NY 10038
    ehs-remote@hpd.nyc.gov

    NOTE: The EHS unit provides emergency relocation services and rehousing assistance to eligible households who have been displaced from their homes as a result of fires or City-issued vacate orders.

Additional Assistance

Resources

Additional Resources