'Heat season' means crackdown on landlords.

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) commissioner Jerilyn Perine kicked off the heat season by reminding building owners of their legal obligation to provide tenants with 24-hour hot water and heat whenever the outdoor temperature warrants it.

The 2000/2001 heat season began Oct. 1 and continues through May 31 2001. During heat season, owners of privately-owned multiple dwellings throughout the five boroughs are required by law to maintain an indoor temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when the outdoor temperature falls below 55 degrees. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., landlords must maintain an indoor temperature of 55 degrees when the outside temperature falls below 40 degrees.

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 call HPD's citywide Central Complaint Bureau (CCB) at 212-824-HEAT. In the fall 1998, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani expanded CCB service to 24-hours a day, seven-days a week all year round. HPD can also receive complaints from hearing-impaired tenants via a Text Telephone TTY at 212-883-5504.

"Our goal is to educate New York's tenants about their rights during the winter months and remind building owners about their responsibilities," said commissioner Perine. As a complement to its enforcement strategy, HPD identifies owners who may desire to provide services, but lack the required knowledge and training. The Housing Litigation Division administers an alternate heat training program for first time heat litigants, which offers training in lieu of fines.

HPD runs a related training program that targets building owners who were issued heat and hot water violations during the previous heat season. Owners with prior violations are contacted and offered training on proper heating plant operations and information on how to responsibly reduce heating expenses while maintaining adequate heat services. HPD also monitors to see if additional heat violations were placed on these buildings during the new heat season. Owners who incur additional heat violations are subject to litigation seeking maximum litigation penalties and continued scrutiny on heat and other code deficiencies.

"We are putting landlords with a history of heat problems on notice, and providing them with education and assistance to encourage compliance," commissioner Perine said. "Those targeted landlords who continue to violate the law will be brought into court."

Seminars are also available through HPD's Housing Education Program at 212- 883.8830.

To help owners better maintain their heat and hot water systems, HPD produced a video called "Heat and Hot Water in Residential Buildings." It is available at no cost through HPD's Owner Services program, by calling 212-883-5300.