Am I covered?

Nothing required of you

• WhyThe cooling rule applies to rooms a tenant elects. With no tenant in your home, there's no one to make that request.
• Building CodeSeparately, new Building Code cooling rules for covered dwellings apply to construction plans filed on or after June 1, 2030.
• If you rent out a unit laterCome back and pick "I own or manage a building with tenants."

Not covered by this law

• WhyBuildings the City uses for emergency temporary housing are left out of the law's definition of covered dwellings.

Covered through NYCHA's plan

• NYCHA's planNYCHA counts as complying if it follows a cooling plan due by January 1, 2028. The plan has to include at least one covered room in each apartment.
• The 2030 goalCooling at least one covered room in at least 25% of covered apartments by June 1, 2030.
• RequestsNYCHA residents opt in through 311.
• PriorityThe plan must consider vulnerable residents.

You're covered

You can choose which bedrooms get cooled. Here's how it works for you.

1. Jan 1, 2028The City publishes the official tenant notice.
2. Mar 1, 2028You can start requesting cooling for the rooms you sleep in. Your owner must give you the notice and post it in the building by September 1, 2029.
3. +60 daysEach request takes effect 60 days after you make it. Within 10 days the City confirms it to you, tells your owner, and explains how to file a complaint.
4. Jun 1, 2030From here on, your owner must keep each room you chose equipped with cooling able to hold 78°F or below from June 15 to September 15.

• Your leaseLeases and renewals offered on or after March 1, 2028 must say who pays the electricity for cooling, and include the City notice.
• If it isn't doneA violation is Class C, immediately hazardous, and the owner gets 14 days to correct it.
• RentThe law sets no cost rules for apartments that aren't rent regulated. What the law says about cost

You have duties under the law

A one or two family house is covered when a tenant lives there.

In a co-op or condo, the law treats the shareholder or unit owner as the owner of that apartment.

1. Mar 1, 2028Give every tenant the City notice and post it in the building. This window runs to September 1, 2029. Leases and renewals offered from this date must say who pays electricity for cooling, and include the notice.
2. +10 daysWhen a tenant elects a room, the City tells you within 10 days which rooms and when coverage starts: 60 days after the election.
3. Jun 1, 2030Each elected room must be equipped with cooling able to hold 78°F or below from June 15 to September 15. Existing central and permanent systems must be kept able to do the same.
4. Jun 1, 2031Inspect cooling equipment every year and keep records in a form the City approves.

• EquipmentWindow and wall units need at least 20 BTU per hour for each square foot of the room. Size a whole building
• Fire escapesThe law doesn't require you to install a system that would break the Fire Code's fire escape rules. The Fire Code bars an air conditioner in a window that leads to a fire escape, unless another unobstructed window in the same room reaches it.
• More timeYou can apply for renewable hardship extensions of up to two years, for reasons including financial hardship, major capital work, electrical upgrades, or landmark limits.
• PenaltyA violation is Class C, immediately hazardous, with 14 days to correct after the notice.