Local Law 151 of 2025 (Ben Z's Law) requires owners of NYC buildings with three or more apartments and steam heat to have the steam radiators inspected at least once every two years in every apartment where a child under six lives, and in the common areas. HPD began enforcing it on May 9, 2026. The first Annual Notice to tenants goes out January 1 to 16, 2027. Nationwide Plumbers is a NYC licensed master plumber (License #2023), so we can perform the inspections, fill out HPD's Record of Steam Radiator Inspection, and repair or replace defective radiators on the law's deadlines.
- May 9, 2026 HPD enforcement began
- Jan 1 to 16, 2027 first Annual Notice to tenants
- Feb 15 tenants return the notice
- Mar 1 Tenant No Response Form due to HPD
- Every 2 years radiator inspection in covered units and common areas
What is Local Law 151?
Local Law 151 of 2025, also called Ben Z's Law, is a New York City law about steam radiator safety in apartment buildings. It is enforced by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), which began enforcement on May 9, 2026.
The law makes owners find out which apartments have young children, inspect the steam radiators in those apartments and in the common areas, keep records, and fix any defect on a strict schedule. Steam radiators run very hot, and a leaking valve, a broken air vent or a corroded radiator can burn a small child.
Which buildings must comply?
- Multiple dwellings with three or more apartments
- That are heated by steam
- Inspections are required in every apartment with at least one steam radiator where a child under six lives, plus the building's common areas
Brooklyn brownstone conversions, walk-ups and pre-war elevator buildings are exactly the buildings this law covers. Units occupied by the owner of a co-op or condo may be treated differently, so check HPD's guidance for your building.
Key Local Law 151 dates
- May 9, 2026: HPD enforcement began.
- January 1 to 16, 2027 (and every January after): deliver the Annual Notice for Inspection of Steam Radiators to every tenant, in English and Spanish.
- February 15: tenants return the completed notice.
- March 1: for apartments that did not respond, where you do not otherwise know of a child under six, file the Tenant No Response Form with HPD.
- At least once every two years: inspect the steam radiators in covered apartments and the common areas.
Defect deadlines after an inspection
- Within 48 hours: the inspector notifies the tenant, the owner and HPD of any defect or damage.
- Hazardous radiator: taken out of service within 24 hours, then repaired or replaced within 7 days.
- All other defects: corrected within 14 days.
- Uncontrolled steam leak or severe corrosion: the boiler must be shut down right away with the emergency remote switch or electrical disconnect.
These deadlines are short. Having a licensed plumber do the inspection means the same company that finds the problem can fix it before the clock runs out.
Who can do a Local Law 151 inspection?
HPD lists who may inspect, including a licensed master plumber, a high-pressure boiler operating engineer or stationary engineer, an oil burning equipment installer, a mechanical contractor, a person working under their direct supervision, and a building superintendent who has reviewed HPD's training manual and been certified by the owner. Every inspector signs HPD's Affidavit of Qualification, which is good for the calendar year.
Nationwide Plumbers is a NYC licensed master plumber (License #2023). Our technicians work under that license.
What our Local Law 151 service includes
- Notice support: we help you plan the January notice cycle and build the list of apartments that need an inspection.
- Radiator inspections: we inspect each steam radiator in covered apartments and the common areas, including valves, air vents, connections and signs of leaks or corrosion.
- HPD paperwork: we complete the Record of Steam Radiator Inspection for each apartment and the common areas, plus the inspector affidavit, for your files.
- Repairs on deadline: we repair or replace leaking valves, broken air vents, damaged radiators and supply connections within the law's timelines.
- Boiler and steam system work: if the problem starts at the boiler, we service the boiler, low-water cutoff, controls and steam piping too.
We schedule apartment visits with tenants and the super, and we work around families with young children.
Penalties and HPD violations
Owners who fail to keep or produce the required records face civil penalties of up to $500. HPD can also inspect a radiator after a tenant complaint and issue violations, and a defective radiator can become a hazardous condition. Doing the inspections and keeping clean records is the simplest way to stay protected.
Get ready before January 2027
Building managers who start now avoid the rush when every steam building in the city sends its first Annual Notice. Call 718-748-2727 or use the form below to schedule Local Law 151 radiator inspections for your Brooklyn or NYC building. We already handle Local Law 152 gas inspections and boiler repair for many of the same buildings.
Local Law 151 Steam Radiator Inspections in NYC: FAQ
What is NYC Local Law 151?
Local Law 151 of 2025, also called Ben Z's Law, requires owners of buildings with three or more apartments and steam heat to inspect the steam radiators in apartments where a child under six lives, and in the common areas, at least once every two years. HPD enforces it.
When did Local Law 151 take effect?
HPD began enforcing Local Law 151 on May 9, 2026. The first Annual Notice to tenants must go out between January 1 and January 16, 2027.
Which buildings does Local Law 151 cover?
Multiple dwellings with three or more units that are heated by steam. Inspections are required in apartments with at least one steam radiator where a child under six lives, plus common areas.
How often are steam radiators inspected under LL151?
At least once every two years in each covered apartment and in the common areas.
Who can perform a Local Law 151 inspection?
HPD allows licensed master plumbers, high-pressure boiler operating or stationary engineers, oil burning equipment installers, mechanical contractors, people working under their direct supervision, and building superintendents who reviewed HPD's training manual and were certified by the owner.
What happens if the inspection finds a defect?
The inspector must notify the tenant, owner and HPD within 48 hours. Hazardous radiators must be taken out of service within 24 hours and repaired or replaced within 7 days. Other defects must be corrected within 14 days.
What are the Local Law 151 notice deadlines?
Owners deliver the Annual Notice in English and Spanish between January 1 and 16 each year, tenants return it by February 15, and owners file the Tenant No Response Form with HPD by March 1 for non-responding units where no child under six is known.
What is the penalty for not complying with Local Law 151?
Failing to keep or produce the required records can bring civil penalties of up to $500, and HPD can issue violations after inspecting in response to a tenant complaint.
Can Nationwide Plumbers do the inspections and the repairs?
Yes. We are a NYC licensed master plumber (License #2023). We inspect the radiators, complete HPD's Record of Steam Radiator Inspection, and repair or replace defective radiators, valves and vents on the law's deadlines.
Is Local Law 151 the same as Local Law 152?
No. Local Law 152 covers gas piping inspections filed with the Department of Buildings every four years. Local Law 151 covers steam radiator inspections enforced by HPD in buildings with young children. Many buildings need both, and we handle both.
