Local Law · Housing
Local Law 55: the Asthma-Free Housing Act
Owners of multiple dwellings must keep units free of indoor allergen hazards — mold and pests — and remediate them safely at turnover and whenever they appear.
What Local Law 55 requires
The Asthma-Free Housing Act treats indoor allergen hazards — mold and infestations of pests such as mice, rats, and cockroaches — as conditions owners of multiple dwellings must actively prevent and remediate. Owners must investigate at least annually and at turnover, fix the underlying conditions (leaks, entry points), and remediate using safe work practices, not just spray and paint over.
How to comply
- Inspect units annually and at every turnover for mold and pests.
- Fix root causes — moisture, gaps, food sources — not just symptoms.
- Remediate mold over the size threshold using trained workers and safe practices.
- Keep records of inspections and remediation.
Common mistakes
- Painting over mold instead of removing it and fixing the moisture source.
- Treating pest complaints reactively instead of the required proactive, building-wide approach.
Reviewed against current NYC agency guidance by the NYC Building Compliance editorial team. Found something out of date? Tell us. Informational only — not legal or engineering advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Asthma-Free Housing Act cover?
Indoor allergen hazards — mold and pest infestations — in multiple dwellings, which owners must prevent and safely remediate.
Is Local Law 55 the bedbug law?
No. LL55 is the Asthma-Free Housing Act (mold and pests). The annual bedbug filing is a separate law, Local Law 69.
How often must owners inspect under Local Law 55?
At least annually and at every unit turnover, with remediation of any hazards found.
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