unwanted roommates Know who is living with you, before you sign the lease

Enter a New York City address to see the latest rat and bedbug inspection results for that property, if available. Some examples are below:

  • 235 Jefferson Street, Brooklyn

  • 662 Magenta Street, Bronx

  • 1920 Palmetto Street, Queens

  • 187 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn

  • 381 Hooper Street, Brooklyn

Rat inspections

Bedbug inspections

  • Closeup shot of a rat eating peanut butter

    There are over two million rats in New York City - almost a quarter of the human population

  • Closeup shot of a rat roaming amongst crumbs

    Rats are dangerous to humans because of the viruses and disease they carry, which can cause food poisoning, skin irritations, fevers and tetanus from bites.

  • A rat amongst debris

    Most New York rats weigh between 1-2 pounds and are between 16 to 20 inches in length. Though some have grown up to three feet in length.

  • A bedbug on linens

    Bedbugs do not cause or spread diseases, but their bites can lead to infections. They are usually active at night and feed on blood to grow and reproduce.

  • A bedbug filled with blood on a person's skin

    Bedbugs can enter homes by latching on to used furniture, luggage, clothing and by traveling along connecting pipes and wiring.

  • A bedbug on a person's thumb

    Bedbugs can hitch a ride on clothing and luggage, especially in places where travelers sleep. They are rarely found in planes, trains and motor vehicles.

FAQS

How does this app work?

This app pulls rodent and bedbug inspection information from two APIs hosted on the City of New York's open data portal. Because some properties have had hundreds of inspections over the years, this app is configured to display only the latest five inspection results logged by the city.

I've found rats in a unit, what do I do?

Landlords in New York City are legally required to address rat infestations in their properties as soon as they are reported. If your landlord is refusing to do anything about a rat problem, the city encourages you to report the matter either online or by calling 3-1-1. Inspectors from the city's Health Department will then conduct an inspection. If rats are found, your landlord will be ordered to address the issue within a minimum of five days. Landlords that fail to comply can face steep fines, and may be billed directly for abatement services conducted by the city on their behalf. More information on what happens after you file a complaint can be found here.

Do landlords have to clean up rat problems?

Yes! Landlords in New York city are required by law to keep their properties rat free and to immediately address conditions that may lead to rat infestations.

I found a unit with bedbugs. What do I do?

Bedbug infestations can be reported online or by calling 3-1-1. Once reported, landlords have 30 days to fix the problem.

How do I know if a unit has bedbugs?

By law, landlords must provide tenants with a written history of any bedbug infestations that have occurred in the past year.