New York City Loft Board - Article 7-C of the Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL)

Loft living has long been a part of New York City's architectural and cultural landscape, but the transition of lofts from commercial and manufacturing spaces to legal residences has required a structured regulatory process. Article 7-C of the Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL), commonly known as the Loft Law, was enacted to protect tenants residing in these spaces while ensuring that landlords bring them up to residential building code standards. The New York City Loft Board plays a crucial role in overseeing this process, mediating disputes, enforcing compliance, and guiding the legalization of Interim Multiple Dwellings (IMDs). Understanding the Loft Law and the Loft Board’s responsibilities is essential for tenants and property owners navigating this complex but necessary transformation.

The New York City Loft Board regulates the legal conversion of certain lofts in the City from commercial/manufacturing use to residential use. Article 7-C of the Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL), also known as the Loft Law, created a new classification of buildings in New York City known as interim multiple dwellings (IMD). The Loft Law establishes a comprehensive framework for the conversion of IMD buildings to safe residences and compels landlords to bring these spaces up to the minimum standards of the New York City Building Code for residential occupancy, i.e., to legalize the buildings.

The New York City Loft Board oversees the legalization process of IMD buildings:

1. Tracks the progress of landlords in physically converting IMD buildings from commercial/manufacturing use to residential use and mediates disputes between landlords and tenants concerning renovation plans

2. Adjudicates two dozen types of disputes that may arise between landlords and tenants during the legalization process, and

3. Prosecutes landlords who fail to:

4. comply with the legalization deadlines

5. annually register the building with the loft board

6. maintain minimum housing standards in their IMD buildings, or

7. otherwise violate the Loft Law and/or Loft Board Rules.

Contact the Loft Board

• Phone: (212) 393-2603 ask for the Public Information Officer

• Fax: (646) 500-6169

• Email the Loft Board

• Visit the Loft Board's Website Address:

NYC Loft Board280 Broadway, 1st Floor

New York, NY 10007

Additional Information

• Loft Board Tenant Information

• Loft Board Owner Information