The Department of Buildings and Housing Preservation and Development have expanded the requirement for Certificates of No Harassment to include multiple dwellings in several special districts. Previously the certificate was only required for SRO’s undergoing renovation.

A Certificate of No Harassment is a document whereupon the HPD confirms a landlord has not harassed prior residents preceding a construction project that aims to alter, demolish or change the shape of layout of any room or apartment. Landlords are responsible for filling out the application for the certificate. The HPD conducts an investigation as necessary. Certificates  of No Harassment must be submitted with a job application in order to secure an approval.

The objective of the certificate is to protect tenants from being driven out by renovations that allow landlords to raise rents or long construction projects that render dwellings uninhabitable. The certificate is valid for three years.

The DOB is now expanding the Certificate of No Harassment to include multiple dwellings in the following special districts:

• The Special Clinton District
• The Special Hudson Yards District
• Preservation Area P-2 of the Special Garment Center District
• The Greenpoint-Williamsburg anti-harassment area
• The Special West Chelsea District

The DOB’s objective with the expansion is to protect residents in districts that have undergone rapid real estate development.

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