Pest Hazards in NYC Homes
Pests are one of the most common housing health hazards in NYC. This page covers the three main pest categories — rodents, cockroaches, and bed bugs — their health impacts, and what NYC law requires landlords and tenants to do about them.
Informational only — not medical or legal advice.
Rodents
NYC's primary structural rodent pest is the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). The CDC documents more than 35 diseases worldwide that rodents can transmit directly or indirectly to humans. In NYC, the most relevant documented risks include leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, and salmonellosis from contaminated surfaces and food.
Health risks
- Leptospirosis — waterborne bacterial infection via rodent urine
- Rat-bite fever — from bites or contact with infected rodents
- Salmonellosis — contaminated food/surfaces via droppings
- Hantavirus — via inhalation of dried droppings (rare in urban Norway rats)
- Structural damage — gnawed wiring is a documented fire risk
NYC landlord obligations
- NYC Admin Code § 27-2018: landlords must keep premises free of rodents
- Active infestations must be remediated — not just baited — including entry-point exclusion
- DOHMH can issue Notices of Violation directly to property owners
- Tenants can file via 311 for HPD inspection and enforcement
Source: NYC HPD. Confirm the current controlling section via NYC Admin Code.
Cockroaches
German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) are the dominant indoor cockroach pest in NYC multi-family housing. The EPA identifies cockroach allergens (proteins in saliva, droppings, shed skins) as a significant contributor to asthma and allergic disease, particularly in children in multi-family buildings.
NYC HPD enforces landlord cockroach obligations under NYC Housing Maintenance Code § 27-2018. Tenants experiencing active cockroach infestations should file a complaint via NYC 311 to trigger an HPD inspection. Building-wide treatment (not just individual units) is more effective, as cockroaches spread through shared wall voids and plumbing chases.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are not known to transmit disease, but the EPA documents significant secondary health impacts: allergic skin reactions, rare anaphylaxis, and documented psychological burden including anxiety, insomnia, and social isolation.
NYC Admin Code § 27-2018.1 (the Bedbug Disclosure Law) requires landlords to:
- Provide a one-year bedbug infestation history to new tenants at lease signing
- Submit annual bedbug filing reports to NYC HPD
- Remediate bedbug infestations — tenants have the right to request treatment
Source: NYC HPD. Confirm current § 27-2018.1 bed bug obligations at NYC HPD — Bed Bugs.
For more detail on the bedbug disclosure law, see the dedicated Bed Bug Disclosure Law reference site.
How to Report a Pest Condition
File via NYC 311
Online at portal.311.nyc.gov or call 311. Select "Pest" or "Rodent" under housing complaints.
Check HPD Online
Search your building's open violations and complaint history at hpdonline.nyc.gov.
DOHMH Rodent Complaint
For outdoor rodent conditions (burrows, public spaces), file separately with NYC DOHMH.