A property report pulls together records from dozens of public sources. Here's what each field means in plain English — including which values are good or worth a second look.
Borough-Block-Lot: NYC's unique 10-digit tax-lot ID for a parcel of land.
Why it matters: It's the key that ties together every city record for this property — tax, deeds, violations, zoning.
Building Identification Number: NYC's unique 7-digit ID for a specific building.
Why it matters: A single lot (BBL) can hold several buildings; the BIN pins records to one of them.
The tax block number — the middle segment of the BBL. NYC groups lots into numbered blocks.
The tax lot number — the last segment of the BBL, identifying this individual parcel within its block.
NYC Dept. of Finance building-class code describing the structure type (decoded inline).
Why it matters: Tells you what kind of building it is — e.g. a one-family home, a walk-up, an elevator co-op.
Whether the building is an individually designated NYC landmark.
Why it matters: Landmark status restricts exterior changes — renovations need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval.
Who owns the lot, by category.
The lot's broad land-use category (NYC City Planning code).
The NYC zoning district code governing what can be built and how it can be used.
Why it matters: R = residential, C = commercial, M = manufacturing, plus a density number. Determines allowed uses, size, and height.
Floor Area Ratio actually used: building floor area ÷ lot area.
Why it matters: Compare to Max FAR — a big gap means unused development rights (air rights) may exist.
The maximum Floor Area Ratio zoning allows on this lot.
Why it matters: Caps how much building is permitted; Built FAR below this suggests room to expand or sell air rights.
Maximum Floor Area Ratio allowed for residential use on this lot.
A commercial (C1/C2) overlay mapped onto a residential district, allowing local retail on the ground floor.
A special-purpose zoning district with its own extra rules (e.g. a waterfront, downtown, or historic special district).
Whether the lot straddles two or more zoning districts.
Why it matters: A split lot follows different rules on different parts, which complicates what can be built where.
FEMA flood-risk zone for the property.
Why it matters: High-risk zones (A/AE/V/VE) usually require flood insurance and signal real flooding risk.
What the drinking-water service line is made of.
Why it matters: Lead or galvanized (or unconfirmed) lines are a health and replacement-cost concern.
Open violations from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), which enforces construction & building-safety rules.
Why it matters: Open violations are unresolved liabilities a buyer inherits; 0 is best.
All-time count of NYC Department of Buildings violations on record for the building.
Open Housing Maintenance Code violations (heat, hot water, pests, upkeep) issued by NYC's housing agency, HPD.
Why it matters: Signals landlord neglect / deferred maintenance; 0 is best.
Open Class C Housing Maintenance Code violations — the most serious, 'immediately hazardous' tier.
Why it matters: Class C means dangerous conditions (no heat, lead paint, mold). Any open Class C is a red flag.
Unpaid fines from ECB/OATH summonses — the NYC tribunal that adjudicates building & quality-of-life violations.
Why it matters: Outstanding fines can attach to the property; lower is better.
Hazard grade of the housing violation.
A 'Y' flag marks a rent-impairing violation: tenants may legally withhold rent until it's fixed.
Share of ownership conveyed by a deed.
Why it matters: 100% is a full transfer; less than 100% is a partial-interest transfer (e.g. between co-owners).
The kind of legal document recorded (deed, mortgage, lien, etc.).
NYC property tax class (1–4) that sets how the property is assessed and taxed.
The CITY's estimated market value used for tax assessment — often well below the actual sale price. Not an appraisal.
Why it matters: Don't mistake it for what the home is worth; it's a tax figure the NYC Finance Dept. calculates.
The taxable assessed value the city applies its tax rate to (a fraction of market value).
The taxable assessed value of just the land, excluding the building.
The portion of assessed value exempt from tax (e.g. STAR, veterans, or non-profit exemptions).
Whether the building is likely subject to NYC rent stabilization, which caps how much rent can rise each year.
Why it matters: Great for renters (capped increases, renewal rights); a constraint on an investor's rent upside.
The NYC Community District (a local planning/service area, each with a Community Board) the property sits in.
The NYC City Council district — which council member represents the property.
The U.S. Census tract — a small statistical area used to report neighborhood demographics.
How far out from the property this source looked for results (shown in feet or miles).