What is DwellCheck and how does it work?

DwellCheck is a free NYC address intelligence tool that analyzes any New York City address using 15+ official government data sources. Enter an address and receive an instant livability score (0-100) based on building violations, safety statistics, transit access, and environmental factors. Data comes from NYC Open Data including HPD, DOB, 311, NYPD, and MTA sources.

What data sources does DwellCheck use?

DwellCheck aggregates data from 15+ authoritative NYC government sources: HPD housing violations and complaints, DOB building complaints and permits, 311 service requests (noise, rodents, sanitation), NYPD crime statistics and shooting data, MTA subway station locations, NYC Parks tree census, PLUTO tax lot data, elevator inspection records, bedbug registry, flood zone maps, and more. All data is updated daily from NYC Open Data.

How is the livability score calculated?

Each address starts with a baseline score of 100. We apply weighted penalties and bonuses based on: Building Health (HPD violations, DOB complaints, elevator outages, bedbug history), Safety (crime rates, shooting incidents relative to neighborhood averages), Transit Access (distance to subway stations, bus routes), and Environment (park access, tree density, noise complaints). The final score ranges from 0-100, with 70+ considered good.

Is DwellCheck free to use?

Yes, basic livability scores and core building data are completely free. Enter any NYC address and instantly see the livability score and key metrics. Detailed breakdowns, historical trends, full violation lists, and neighborhood comparisons are available with premium reports.

Can DwellCheck help me find rent-stabilized apartments?

Yes, DwellCheck provides rent stabilization estimates based on building age, unit count, and DHCR registration data. Buildings constructed before 1974 with 6+ units are often rent-stabilized in NYC. Our reports indicate stabilization likelihood and link to official DHCR resources for verification.

How accurate is the crime and safety data?

Crime data comes directly from NYPD CompStat and covers all reported incidents. We analyze crime at the precinct and neighborhood level, comparing each address to local averages. Note that crime statistics reflect reported incidents and may not capture all activity. Data is typically updated within 1-2 weeks of incidents.

What NYC neighborhoods does DwellCheck cover?

DwellCheck covers all five NYC boroughs: Manhattan (Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Harlem, Financial District, etc.), Brooklyn (Williamsburg, Park Slope, Bushwick, etc.), Queens (Astoria, Long Island City, Flushing, etc.), The Bronx (Riverdale, Mott Haven, Fordham, etc.), and Staten Island (St. George, Tottenville, etc.). Over 40 neighborhoods with 1,200+ pre-analyzed buildings.

How do I check building violations before signing a lease?

Enter the building address on DwellCheck to instantly see HPD housing violations, DOB building complaints, 311 service requests, and bedbug history. Look for patterns of recurring issues, especially Class C (immediately hazardous) HPD violations. Compare violation counts to neighborhood averages. Also check for open violations that have not been corrected.

DwellCheck - NYC Address Intelligence | Building Violations, Safety & Livability Scores

🏢Checking HPD bedbug registry...