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NYC mold law, in plain English

Who has to fix it, who is allowed to fix it, and how to report it. What New York State Article 32 and NYC Local Law 55 mean for tenants, owners and landlords.

New York State Labor Law Article 32 (the mold licensing law)

Since 2016, New York State has licensed the people who assess and remove mold. For any mold project larger than 10 square feet, the law sets up three separate steps:

  1. Independent

    1Licensed mold assessor

    Inspects and tests, then writes the mold remediation plan: what has to be removed, how, and what counts as clean.

  2. That’s us

    2Licensed remediation contractor

    Writes a work plan from the assessor’s plan, sets up containment, removes and cleans, dries, and treats the area.

  3. Independent

    3Post-remediation assessment

    An independent assessor checks our work. Walls stay open until it passes. Then we rebuild.

Why we don’t test your mold: New York’s mold law (Labor Law Article 32) doesn’t let the same company assess and remediate the same project. A company that tests your home and then quotes you the removal has a conflict of interest. We only remediate, so our estimate is never inflated by our own test results.

  • The mold assessor (NYS-licensed) inspects and writes a remediation plan: the scope, the containment, and the clearance criteria.
  • The remediation contractor (NYS-licensed, like us: Lic. #25-65KFU-SHMO) prepares a work plan and does the work according to the plan.
  • After remediation, an assessor performs a post-remediation assessment to confirm the work passed.
  • The same licensee can’t be both the assessor and the remediator on the same project.

That last rule is why we don’t sell testing. A company that finds the problem and then quotes the removal has a financial reason to find more of it.

NYC Local Law 55 of 2018 (landlord duties)

NYC’s Asthma-Free Housing Act, Local Law 55 of 2018, requires owners of most residential rental buildings to deal with indoor allergens, including mold. In general, owners must:

  • Inspect apartments for mold and pests at least once a year, and when a tenant complains.
  • Fix mold and the moisture that caused it. Painting over it isn’t enough.
  • Use safe work practices: contain the area, clean up dust and debris, and avoid spreading spores.
  • Prepare vacant apartments before a new tenant moves in.
  • Give tenants information about indoor allergen hazards with their lease.

In larger buildings (10 or more units), NYC rules also require that mold assessment and remediation be done by NYS-licensed contractors (Local Law 61 of 2018).

If you rent: what to do about mold

  1. Photograph it with the date. Include any leak, stain or source you can see.
  2. Notify your landlord or super in writing (email or text is fine) and keep a copy.
  3. If it isn’t fixed, call 311 or file online at portal.311.nyc.gov. HPD can inspect and issue violations.
  4. Don’t pay a contractor to fix your landlord’s building unless you’ve agreed on reimbursement in writing. It’s the owner’s responsibility.

Renting and the mold is from your own belongings or a spill you caused? We can help directly. Get a free estimate.

If you own or manage: how we help you comply

  • NYS-licensed remediation that follows the assessor’s plan.
  • We fix the moisture source and rebuild. Walls get closed properly, not painted over.
  • Photos, scope and completion documentation for HPD, boards and insurers.
  • Certificates of insurance and scheduling around tenants.

Working with property managers

This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; check the NYS Department of Labor Mold Program and NYC HPD for current requirements.

FAQStraight answers

NYC mold law FAQ

Is my landlord required to fix mold in NYC?

Yes. Under NYC’s housing code and Local Law 55 of 2018, owners of residential rental buildings must fix mold and the underlying moisture problem, using safe work practices. Tenants can report unaddressed mold by calling 311.

Does New York require a license for mold removal?

Yes. Under New York State Labor Law Article 32, mold projects larger than 10 square feet must be handled by a NYS-licensed mold assessor and a separate NYS-licensed remediation contractor.

Can the same company test and remove mold?

Not on the same project. Article 32 prohibits a licensee from performing both the assessment and the remediation on the same project, to prevent conflicts of interest.

What about mold under 10 square feet?

Article 32 licensing requirements apply to projects over 10 square feet. Smaller areas must still be cleaned properly, and in NYC rental buildings the landlord must still address the mold and its cause.

Who pays for mold caused by the upstairs apartment?

It depends on ownership and leases, but responsibility generally follows the source of the leak and the governing documents (lease, co-op proprietary lease or condo bylaws). Document everything with photos. See our upstairs-leak guide.

Mold doesn’t go away on its own.

Call now or send photos. We’ll tell you what you are dealing with and give you a free on-site estimate.

(347) 369-1545 Send photos