Violation Proof
Start free

Guide for NYC landlords · The January notice

The NYC annual notice for 2027: lead paint and window guards

Between January 1 and 16, 2027, the tenant of every unit in a building with three or more units gets the Health Department’s notice, and so does a rented unit in a 1–2 family home built before 1960. It asks whether a child 10 or under lives there (window guards, three or more units) and, where Local Law 1 applies, whether a child under 6 does (lead paint). Answers are due February 15; a unit that does not answer gets a visit before March 1. Below: the dates, the steps, and a free delivery list to keep as your proof.

Check your building, free Start free: track it every year

The dates for 2027

Dec 15, 2026 – Jan 16, 2027
The notice may go with the January rent bill if the bill goes out in this window.
Jan 1–16, 2027
Send the notice to every unit: first-class mail, by hand, or e-delivery with the tenant’s written consent. Keep proof of delivery.
Jan 1 – Feb 15, 2027
Remind the tenants: any practical means, or a posting in a common area.
Feb 15, 2027
The answers are due.
Mar 1, 2027
Units that did not answer are visited first. After at least three documented attempts without getting in, tell the Health Department by March 1.

Six steps, January 1 to March 1.

  1. 1

    Print the Health Department’s form

    “Protect Your Child From Lead Poisoning and Window Falls”, with its wording unaltered, in English, Spanish and the other languages commonly spoken in the community. It asks the lead question and the window guard questions on one page. A building Local Law 1 does not cover sends the window guard notice on its own.

    The notice in English (Health Department, PDF)

    24 RCNY §12-03(a); §27-2056.4

  2. 2

    List every unit

    One line per unit, with room for the date it went out, the answer and the visit. The delivery list below prints it for your building.

    §27-2056.4

  3. 3

    Send it between January 1 and 16, 2027

    By first-class mail, by hand, or by e-delivery to a tenant who gave written consent; or with the January rent bill if that goes out between December 15 and January 16. Write the date and the method on the list.

    24 RCNY §12-03(a)

  4. 4

    Remind, then record each answer by February 15

    A reminder between January 1 and February 15. Each returned form is a record: a child under 6 means an inspection of the unit for lead hazards at least once a year (Local Law 1); a child 10 or under, or a request, means window guards on every window of the unit except fire-escape windows.

    24 RCNY §12-03(b); §27-2056.4

  5. 5

    Visit the units that did not answer

    Before March 1, at a reasonable time. If you cannot get in after at least three documented attempts, tell the Health Department by March 1: its online form up to 20 units, a data file above that.

    24 RCNY §12-04; Health Department

  6. 6

    Keep it all

    The notices, the proof of delivery, the answers and the visit records. Local Law 1 records are kept 10 years and produced when HPD asks (HPD’s record production orders give 45 days); the window guard proof is kept until April 1 of the second year after the notice and produced within 5 business days if the Health Department asks.

    §27-2056.17; HPD record production order; 24 RCNY §12-03(e)

A free delivery list for your building

One line per unit for the date the notice went out, the answer and the visit, with the 2027 dates at the top. Built in your browser: what you type here is not sent to us.

Commas or one per line; a number alone lists units 1 to that number.

FAQ

Straight answers.

Something else? Email [email protected]

Local Law 1, all year: the law’s page
Is it one notice for lead paint and window guards?

Yes, in a building Local Law 1 covers: the Health Department’s combined form asks about a child under 6 for the lead rules and about a child 10 or under for the window guards, on one page. Record both answers.

Do we also send the stove knob notice?

Yes, to every unit with a gas stove: HPD’s stove knob notice is a separate form, also due by January 16, and usually goes in the same envelope.

Can we email the notice?

Only to a tenant who gave written consent to electronic delivery. Otherwise first-class mail or hand delivery, or with the January rent bill if it goes out between December 15 and January 16.

What if a tenant never answers?

Visit the unit before March 1. After at least three documented attempts without getting in, report it to the Health Department by March 1 and keep the record.

Does the delivery list send the notice?

No. It is your record of sending it: one line per unit for the date, the answer and the visit. ViolationProof keeps the same record per unit and reminds you of each date.

Every deadline, on file before the city asks.

Add your buildings and units, and ViolationProof reminds you before each window closes and keeps the proof per unit.

Start free Check your building

Sources

Checked against these sources on Oct 17, 2026. A summary to help you keep records, not legal advice; ViolationProof is not affiliated with HPD or any city agency.