The city last week released an update for the 311 Mobile Application, which allows tenants to register heat and hot water complaints from their mobile devices for the first time.
The “heat season” began on Oct. 1 and continues through May 31. According to the Office of Mayor Bill de Blasio, residential building owners have a legal obligation to provide tenants with hot water year-round and heat when the outdoor temperature warrants it. In Fiscal Year 2014, New Yorkers registered more than 200,000 heat-related complaints to 311. This year, 311, the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications and the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development partnered to create a means to give New Yorkers the option of filing heat and hot water complaints on the 311 Mobile App.
To report a heat-related complaint using the updated 311 Mobile App, the user opens the app and chooses “Heat or Hot Water” from the complaint menu. The user then enters the address for the complaint, selects the type of condition, and indicates if one unit or the whole building is affected.
The user then provides their personal contact information, along with contact information for the owner and the tenant, if available. Once the complaint is submitted by the user, it is sent to HPD in exactly the same way as a complaint initiated in the call center or online. After filing the complaint, users can check for updates by going to the complaint screen in the app.
In the event of a heat deficiency, a tenant should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent, or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should register a complaint via 311. To date, over 50,000 customers have downloaded the free app that is available on Android and iPhone platforms.
By Forum Staff
