Methodology
How we calculate building grades and landlord scores using public NYC data.
Grading Scale
Every building receives a letter grade from A to F based on its overall score. The score is calculated on a 0–100 point scale.
Score Components
The overall score is a weighted average of five components, each measuring a different aspect of building quality and landlord behavior.
Violations Score
30%Based on HPD violations. Class C (hazardous) violations have the highest impact. Open violations count more than closed ones.
Complaints Score
25%Based on 311 complaints filed. Heating, mold, and pest complaints carry extra weight. Recurring complaints indicate systemic issues.
Eviction Score
20%Based on eviction filings. Buildings with higher eviction rates receive lower scores. We normalize by unit count.
Ownership Score
15%LLC ownership reduces transparency. Portfolio landlords with poor track records impact individual building scores.
Resolution Score
10%Measures how quickly the landlord resolves violations. Fast resolution times improve the score.
Percentile Rankings
We also provide percentile rankings to show how a building compares to others citywide and within its borough. A building in the "Top 10% citywide" means it scores better than 90% of all NYC buildings in our database.
Data Updates
Our data is refreshed weekly from NYC Open Data. Scores are recalculated after each update to reflect the latest violations, complaints, and records.
Limitations
- • Scores reflect reported issues only—unreported problems won't appear.
- • Older buildings may have more historical violations simply due to age.
- • Entity resolution (linking LLCs to owners) is imperfect.
- • This tool is for informational purposes and not legal advice.