Apartment Inspections Housing Tags: Housing Conditions Language: English If there are things wrong with your apartment that may be dangerous to your health and safety, you may want to have your apartment inspected. Learn more about when you may want to contact the health department or a building inspector to have your apartment inspected and what is involved in such inspections. When would I want to have my apartment inspected? If there are things wrong with your apartment that may be dangerous to your health and safety, you may want to have your apartment inspected. Who should I call to get my home or apartment inspected? The local Health Department and your local building inspection department inspect homes and apartments. Because the Health Department and the building inspectors look at different kinds of problems, call them both. See below for a list of local agency/department phone numbers. What does the Health Department look for? The Health Department looks for problems like rodents, lead paint, not enough heat or hot water, or unsanitary conditions. What does the building inspector look for? The building inspector looks at structural problems such as holes in the walls, exposed wires, improper insulation, and plumbing problems such as broken sinks or toilets. If you live in a building with three or more apartments and there are problems throughout the building, you may want to call the multiple dwelling inspector. If you have serious problems with the electrical or plumbing, you may want to call the electrical inspector or the plumbing inspector. Not all cities, towns and villages have inspectors specifically dedicated to multiple dwellings, electric, and plumbing issues. In this case, please contact the local building inspector at their main phone number. See below for a list of local agency/department phone numbers. Should I get a copy of the inspection report? Yes. Ask the inspector what you need to do to get a copy of the report. Be sure to get the inspector’s name and work phone number, in case there are any problems, or any questions. What if my landlord tries to evict me after I report housing conditions? If the landlord gives you notice to move within one year after you tell your landlord or an agency (like the building inspectors) about conditions, and you’re up to date on rent, the court will assume the landlord is acting in retaliation (revenge). The landlord would have to prove to the court that the eviction is not in retaliation for reporting housing conditions. Local Agency & Department Phone Numbers Erie County Erie County Health Department: 716.858.7690 City of Buffalo Building Inspector: 716.851.4949 City of Buffalo Multiple Dwelling Inspector: 716.851.4928 City of Buffalo Electrical Inspector: 716.851.4950 City of Buffalo Plumbing Inspector: 716.851.5067 Niagara County Niagara County Health Department: 716.439.7430 City of Niagara Falls Building Inspector: 716.286.4450 City of Lockport Building Inspector: 716.439.6754 Genesee County Genesee County Health Department: 585.345.6345 City of Batavia Bureau of Inspection: 585.345.6345 Can’t find your local agency or department number? Look on your local city, town, or village website or call your local clerk for a phone number. You can also look in the blue pages of your telephone book under the city, town, or village that you live in. 2024 Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc., Housing Unit Updated March 2024