Neighborhood Planning

Zombie Homes

Print icon Print

Zombie Homes Initiative

image of a run-down abandoned home.

Have you noticed abandoned, dilapidated homes in your neighborhood? You might be dealing with a “zombie home.”

Zombie homes are:

  1. Properties with 1-4 units
  2. Abandoned and vacant
  3. Physically distressed (for example: overgrown weeds, graffiti, trash all over the property, visible repairs needed)
  4. In foreclosure or pre-foreclosure (the owners are behind on their mortgage payments) 

Through HPD’s Zombie Homes Initiative, HPD staff conducts exterior surveys of zombie homes, aggregates information, and designs new approaches to return zombie homes to productive use.

In 2016, New York State passed legislation that made mortgage lenders and servicers responsible for the repair and upkeep of zombie properties.

The (the “Zombie Law”) requires lenders and servicers to inspect, secure, maintain, and report zombie homes to the New York State Department of Financial Services. If lenders or servicers do not comply, HPD shares evidence with the New York City Law Department, which pursues legal action against the banks and servicers as appropriate. Ultimately, the law and the program help combat blight and revitalize neighborhoods, with the support of community members like you!


HPD inspector taking notes outdoors.

What You Can Do

Request City Action 

If you know of a building with 1-4 residential units that is unoccupied and not being maintained, it could be a zombie home. Please report the property by calling 311 and mentioning a zombie home. Make sure to leave the specific address.
 Note! 

  • If the building presents an immediate danger, is not secured or you suspect any illegal activity, please call 911.
  • If the building appears unsecured or structurally unsound, please report it to 311 for a Department of Buildings inspection.
  • If there is a public health risk (e.g. rodent activity, dirty sidewalk, or standing water that breeds mosquitoes), please report it to 311 for a lot clean-up.

HPD cannot facilitate the sale of zombie homes.

Falling Behind on Mortgage Payments? Call the Homeowner Hotline

If you are struggling to make mortgage payments, please dial 311 and ask for the Center for New York City Neighborhoods or call the Center directly at (646) 786-0888. The Center is a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of free and high-quality services for homeowners.

Submit a Complaint to the NYS Department of Financial Services

You may also file a complaint with the New York State Department of Financial Services to help gather evidence of mortgage holders’ non-compliance with the NYS Zombie Property and Foreclosure Prevention Act. File a complaint by calling their consumer complaint hotline at (800) 342-3736 or by filling out a consumer complaint form. Please note that this form is not a substitute for submitting a complaint to 311 or 911.

Resources

The HPD Zombie Homes Initiative: A Lender and Servicer's Guide to Managing Vacant Homes provides an overview of the City programs and policies concerning vacant, small homes. 

Read about the 2016 Foreclosure Legislation, including the “Zombie Law” 2016 Foreclosure Legislation Home Page | Department of Financial Services (ny.gov).

The Homeowner Handbook – a compendium of resources for homeowners in NYC.