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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                                  JUNE 12, 2026     |  The Indian Eye 26

                  Mayor Mamdani Marks National

                           Homeownership Month with

                      Free Home Inspection Initiative

               Program will help homeowners and small property owners identify needed repairs,

                                   avoid costly violations and keep buildings safe at no cost

            OUR BUREAU
            NEW YORK, NY

                    ayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and De-
                    partment of Buildings (DOB) Commis-
            Msioner Ahmed Tigani kicked off the City’s
            No-Penalty Inspection Program, giving homeown-
            ers and small property owners access to free visual
            inspections of their buildings and expert guidance
            from June 1 through July 10.
                As New York City marks National Homeown-
            ership Month, the initiative is part of the Mamdani
            administration’s broader effort to reduce costs for
            homeowners,  prevent  small  maintenance  issues
            from  becoming  expensive  emergencies  and  help
            New Yorkers preserve one of the most important
            sources of stability and wealth available to working
            families.
                By calling 311, property owners can schedule
            a free inspection and receive guidance on repairs,
            safety  requirements,  permits  and  maintenance
            needs. When issues are identified, DOB inspectors   said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and   inspections, DOB staff can discuss any additional
            will  provide  recommendations  and  resources  to   Planning.                             building concerns property owners have and direct
            help property owners address them before penal-  “At the Department of Buildings we know that   them to additional assistance from DOB or other
            ties are incurred.                           dealing with building repairs and regulations can   City agencies. If inspectors do find violations, they
                The program builds on the Mamdani admin-  sometimes feel stressful or complicated, which is   will give homeowners guidance on how to correct
            istration’s  efforts  to  support  homeowners  and   why initiatives like our No Penalty Inspection Pro-  them before any penalties are incurred.
            strengthen pathways to homeownership. Through   gram are designed to give New Yorkers straight-  Through  this  program,  DOB  inspectors  can
            Block by Block, the administration’s housing plan,   forward, expert guidance in a respectful and trans-  examine:
            New  York  City  is  expanding  programs  that  help   parent way,” said Buildings Commissioner Ahmed   • Decks and patios
            residents stay in their homes, make needed repairs   Tigani. “DOB is working every day to make it easi-  • Retaining walls
            and protect themselves from predatory practices,   er for owners to properly maintain their properties   • Facades for buildings under six stories
            including the City’s first Mayor’s Office to Prevent   and navigate the building process with confidence.   • Boilers
            Deed Theft, an enhanced HomeFix program and   Before hiring a construction professional, give us a   • Gas piping systems
            a new Mortgage Assistance Program.           call first and let our team provide you free expert   • Unregistered private elevator devices
                “Too often, homeowners only hear from gov-  guidance on your next home repair project.”  • Sidewalk vaults
            ernment when something has gone wrong and a      “For property owners already struggling with   • Business signs
            fine is already on the way,” said Mayor Mamdani.   high insurance and utility costs, these free inspec-  In an effort to expand the program to benefit
            “We’re working to elevate programs that have long   tions offer a unique opportunity to assess the state   even more people, this year marks the first time
            existed, and this one is about making city govern-  of their properties without the fear of large fines   that inspections of sidewalk vaults and gas piping
            ment a partner, not a punisher. By providing free   or penalties,” said Housing Preservation and De-  systems have been included.
            inspections  and  expert  guidance,  we’re  helping   velopment (HPD) Commissioner Dina Levy. “As   New  Yorkers  can  schedule  an  inspection  by
            New Yorkers keep their homes safe, avoid unnec-  we work with owners to reduce barriers to needed   calling 311, which will connect them with the ap-
            essary costs, and protect one of the most important   repairs, we hope they will take advantage of this   propriate DOB unit to arrange a field visit.
            investments they will ever make.”            program. Not only do free, no-penalty inspections   The  Department  of  Buildings  has  operated
                “Whether  you’re  a  first-time  or  a  longtime   reduce stress and costs for owners, they also help   the  No-Penalty  Inspection  Program  since  2005.
            homeowner,  it  can  be  hard  to  keep  up  with  re-  keep New Yorkers safe in their homes.”  Over the past two decades, the Department has
            quired  maintenance  and  make  improvements.    The  No-Penalty  Inspection  Program  pro-  conducted  thousands  of  free  inspections  across
            Our administration is here to help, thanks to DOB   vides expert advice for New Yorkers to determine   the five boroughs, helping homeowners and small
            staff across the city who will provide expert guid-  whether their properties are in good condition and   business owners identify maintenance issues, im-
            ance to property owners without risk of penalty,”   plan  repairs,  if  necessary.  During  the  scheduled   prove safety and avoid unnecessary costs.

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