Under local law, if a residential building owner wants to:

• Change the use or occupancy of a building or
• Demolish it or any of its parts

They must apply for and receive a Certification of No Harassment (CONH) from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

An owner must have a CONH before applying to the Department of Buildings (DOB) for a permit for any residential building that is:

• A single room occupancy multiple dwelling (SRO)
• A multiple dwelling or interim multiple dwelling located in one of the following areas:
  • The Special Clinton District
  • The Special Hudson Yards District
  • Preservation Area P-2 of the Special Garment Center District
  • The Greenpoint-Williamsburg anti-harassment area
  • The Special West Chelsea District
• A multiple dwelling on the CONH Pilot Program Building List

The CONH process makes sure alteration or demolition projects don't:

• Harass lawful occupants into leaving or 
• Deprive lawful occupants of their rights 

HPD will investigate if harassment happened during the inquiry period.

If HPD finds that harassment occurred, they begin a case at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings(OATH). 

Based on the OATH case, HPD will then decide whether to issue the CONH.

Under the law, a denial of the CONH prevents an owner from getting any alteration or demolition permits for the building for a period of years.

Applications may be submitted to HPD online or with a paper application.

Learn more about Certification of No Harassment or Exemption and their applications.