As a tenant, you or someone on your behalf can make a complaint that your landlord or manager refused to install or maintain window guards in your apartment. You must provide your contact information.

Window guards must be installed on all windows except windows leading to fire escapes. This includes windows on the first floor, in bathrooms, leading onto a balcony or terrace, and in hallways. Where there is a fire escape from the upper floors, one window of the first floor apartments can remain unguarded.

Before filing a complaint, you should try to resolve the issue with your landlord, managing agent, or superintendent. If you live in a co-op or condo, you should first report apartment maintenance issues to the owner, management company or board before filing a complaint with HPD.

As a tenant, you or someone on your behalf can make a complaint that your landlord or manager refused to install or maintain window guards in the public area of your building. You must provide your contact information.

Window guards must be installed on all windows except windows leading to fire escapes. This includes windows on the first floor, in bathrooms, leading onto a balcony or terrace, and in hallways. Where there is a fire escape from the upper floors, one window of the first floor apartments can remain unguarded.

Before filing a complaint, you should try to resolve the issue with your landlord, managing agent, or superintendent. If you live in a co-op or condo, you should first report apartment maintenance issues to the owner, management company or board before filing a complaint with HPD.

Landlords can report a tenant that refuses installation of window guards or who removes their window guards. The landlord must provide contact information for the Health Department to respond to this request.

An owner of a rent stabilized or rent controlled apartment may collect a surcharge from the tenant. The New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR) has established a one-time maximum fee of $10.00 per window guard for rent control or rent stabilized apartments.

The fee may be imposed a month after installation of the window guards. The cost of window guards installed in public areas may not be passed on to tenants in the building. 

Recipients of public assistance, holders of Section 8 certificates, households receiving Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemptions (SCRIE), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or State payments under Section 209 of the Social Service Law, will not be required to pay this charge out-of-pocket.

Instead, the Human Resources Administration will reimburse owners after the tenant submits an itemized bill on the owner's stationery following the window guard installation.

Recipients of SSI or Section 209 subsidies may contact their Social Services District Office with an itemized bill from the owner following the window guard installation.

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Air conditioner units are acceptable alternatives to window guards if they are permanently installed and not removed seasonally. Permanent installation of air conditioners includes the following requirements:

• The air conditioner is to be permanently bolted into the window sill.
• There are not spaces greater than 4.5 inches above or on the sides of the unit. Any barriers installed around the unit must be installed with tamper-proof screws.
• L-shaped stops must be installed in both sides of the inside window track to prevent the window from lifting more than 4.5 inches above the installed air conditioner. If the air conditioner meets with the lower window panel, L-shaped stops are not necessary.