NYC Tenant Rodent Guide
Steps for renters.
Resources
NYC 311 Rat and Mouse Complaints: How They Work
What to include, what happens next and what a report does not do.
Short answerReport rats or mice through 311, online or by phone, with the exact address and where you saw activity. The Health Department inspects the property, and owners of properties that fail must correct the problem. A report does not treat your infestation.
How to File
Use NYC311 online or call 311. Give the address, the location on the property and what you saw. Include contact details if access to an apartment, basement or backyard is needed.
What Happens Next
The Health Department inspects the property within around two weeks of the complaint, unless it was recently inspected. Inspectors check the outside of the property for signs of rats or conditions that favor them. If the property fails, the owner gets a Commissioner's Order to Abate by mail, with the inspection report and guidance, and has at least five days to fix the conditions or contact the Department. A follow up inspection comes after that. The whole cycle, from complaint to closed case, can take up to 90 days when a property fails the first inspection.
Residential Pest Complaints
NYC311 also has a residential pest complaint page for pests inside residential buildings. Check which fits your problem.
What 311 Does Not Do
It does not replace hiring a professional or clean out your apartment. See tenant guide.
Not sure what you are dealing with? An inspection finds the source and sets the scope.
Questions and Answers
How do I report a rat problem in NYC?
Use 311, online or by phone, and give the exact address and where on the property you saw activity. The Health Department cannot inspect without enough location detail, and it can only inspect areas it can reach. If the problem is inside an apartment, basement or backyard, include contact details so an inspector can arrange access.
Does a 311 report replace hiring a professional?
No. A 311 report leads to a Health Department inspection of the property. If conditions fail, the owner receives an order with an inspection report and guidance and must correct the problem. The report does not treat an infestation inside your home or business. The owner still needs to have the work done, and the Health Department suggests showing the findings to a pest management professional.
Should a tenant call 311 or the landlord first?
Start with the landlord or managing agent, in writing, and keep a dated copy. That creates a record and gives the owner a chance to act. If the owner does not respond, or the problem is severe, report it through 311. You can report rats or mice and the conditions that attract them.
Last reviewed 2026-09-21. Time sensitive NYC rules and processes change, so check the linked official pages before you act.