A person’s home can make a huge difference to their quality of life, especially for those diagnosed with asthma. A new NYC law helps tenants to protect their right to a healthy home.

Local Law 55, also known as the Asthma Free Housing Act, requires that landlords of buildings with three or more apartments—or buildings of any size where a tenant has asthma—take steps to keep their tenants’ homes free of pests and mold, including by safely fixing the conditions that cause these problems.

Click here for answers to tenant FAQs about Local Law 55 and COVID-19.
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para la versión en Español: respuestas a las preguntas frecuentes de los inquilinos sobre la Ley Local 55 y COVID-19.

Information for Tenants and Tenant Advocates

Local Law 55 allows tenants to hold their landlords accountable. Tenants can either call 311 to get an inspection of their home, or they can request a referral from their doctor to initiate the inspection process if they have been diagnosed with moderate or severe persistent asthma.

Click here for resources that provide more information about tenants’ rights and options under the law.

If you are interested in training tenants, your staff, or other constituents on Local Law 55, we have created a training toolkit that provides resources to get started. Click here to access the toolkit, which includes an instruction sheet.

Information for Healthcare Providers

Healthcare providers play an essential role in helping patients achieve healthy homes. Click here for information on how providers can “Clear the A.I.R” by referring asthma patients for home inspections.

A webinar for providers that explains how the referral process works is available here. (This presentation runs approximately 5 minutes long.)

These resources were developed and compiled by students in the Columbia Law School Health Justice Advocacy Clinic on behalf of NYLPI.