If you own a multifamily building in New York, three inspections keep coming back: gas piping every four years, boilers every year, and a one-time lead paint test that many owners still haven't finished. None of them is expensive on its own. The fines are a different story. The calculator above puts the service costs next to the penalties so you can see what's at stake for your building.
The short version
| Requirement | How often | Typical cost | Penalty if skipped |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas piping inspection (LL152) | Every 4 years, by community district | $300–$1,000 | $5,000 |
| Low-pressure boiler inspection | Every year (6+ families) | Inspector fee + ≈$30 DOB fee per boiler | $1,000 per boiler |
| XRF lead paint testing (LL31) | Once per unit, records kept 10 years | ≈$40–$70 per room | $1,500 per unit |
| Temporary boiler rental | Only during repairs or replacement | ≈$150–$500 per day | n/a |
Gas piping inspections (Local Law 152)
Every building except one- and two-family homes (and R-3 occupancies) needs its exposed gas piping inspected at least once every four years by a licensed master plumber or someone working under one. The year depends on your community district.
- Due in 2026: Community Districts 4, 6, 8, 9 and 16.
- Due in 2027: Community Districts 11, 12, 14, 15 and 17.
- Paperwork: the plumber gives you a report within 30 days, and you file the certification with DOB within 60 days of the inspection.
- Repairs: if anything needs fixing, a correction certification is due within 120 days (or 180 with an extension).
The inspection itself is usually a few hundred dollars. The real cost risk is what it uncovers. A leak or an illegal connection can mean the utility shuts off gas to the building until repairs are done.
Annual boiler inspections
Low-pressure boilers in residential buildings with six or more families, SROs, mixed-use and commercial buildings must be inspected each calendar year, January 1 to December 31. The inspector has to be licensed by DOB or work for an authorized insurance company. Reports are filed online in DOB NOW: Safety within 45 days.
- Exempt: buildings with five or fewer families, boilers heating a single apartment, and boilers of 100,000 BTU or less.
- Defects: must be corrected and a follow-up report filed within 180 days. After that, DOB charges $50 per boiler for each month late.
- No report at all: $1,000 per boiler.
We couldn't find any published price list for boiler inspectors' fees, so the calculator only includes the DOB filing fee. Get quotes from two or three licensed inspectors, and ask whether they file the report for you.
XRF lead paint testing (Local Law 31)
Every rental unit and common area in a building built before 1960 needed a one-time XRF test by August 9, 2025. Buildings from 1960 to 1978 are covered too if the owner knows there's lead paint. The tester must be EPA-certified and independent of the owner and of any lead abatement company you hire.
Pricing is per room or per component tested. One industry guide puts XRF screening at about $40 to $70 per room, which makes a four-room apartment a few hundred dollars. If your building missed the deadline, each untested unit or common area can bring a $1,500 Class C violation.
Temporary boiler rental
When a boiler fails in January, a rented trailer boiler keeps tenants warm while you repair or replace it. Published estimates run about $150 to $500 a day for standard units and $4,000 to $14,000 for a week, with fuel, permits and hookups often billed separately. Trade press has pointed out that rental pricing is almost never published, so treat these as rough numbers and get written quotes before you need one. Having a vendor lined up before heat season is cheaper than calling one at midnight.
Planning bigger work? Our gut renovation cost guide covers apartment renovations, and the furnace repair guide covers smaller heating fixes for houses.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Local Law 152 gas piping inspection cost?
Most small to mid-size buildings pay a licensed master plumber about $300 to $1,000 for the inspection itself. Any repairs the inspection finds are extra and can cost far more than the inspection.
Which buildings need a gas piping inspection in 2026?
Buildings in Community Districts 4, 6, 8, 9 and 16 are due in 2026, and Districts 11, 12, 14, 15 and 17 in 2027. One- and two-family homes and R-3 buildings are exempt. Inspections repeat every four years.
What is the fine for missing a gas piping inspection in NYC?
The Department of Buildings lists a civil penalty of $5,000 for failing to file the certification by the due date. Some industry guides quote $10,000, but the city's own page says $5,000.
Which NYC boilers need an annual inspection?
Low-pressure boilers in residential buildings with six or more families, SROs, mixed-use and commercial buildings. Buildings with five or fewer families, boilers serving a single apartment, and boilers of 100,000 BTU or less are exempt.
Is NYC lead paint XRF testing still required after August 2025?
The main deadline for pre-1960 rental units was August 9, 2025. Buildings that missed it remain out of compliance and risk $1,500 per unit. Buildings from 1960 to 1978 with known lead paint must also test within a year after a child of applicable age moves in.
How much does it cost to rent a temporary boiler in NYC?
Published estimates range from about $150 to $500 a day, or roughly $4,000 to $14,000 for a week, depending on size, fuel and setup. Trade press notes that rental pricing is rarely published, so get written quotes.
Sources & methodology
Prices are compiled from published provider price lists, government fee schedules and quotes, then adjusted for 2026. See how we price.