Gas Leak Notice: What It Must Say and Where It Goes
If a tenant smells gas, the next 60 seconds matter. The gas leak notice is there so nobody has to guess what to do. It's short, it's required in almost every NYC rental, and it has a few rules that surprise owners.
We looked into the language question too. Here's what the rule actually says.
The quick answer
In short: Owners of tenant occupied buildings must post a gas leak notice in a readily visible common area and give each tenant a copy with every lease and lease renewal. It must tell people to leave, call 911 from outside, then call the gas company. The rule is 28 RCNY Section 12-11, under HMC Section 27-2005.
What the notice must say
- 1Leave the buildingGet out first. Don't try to find the leak.
- 2Call 911 from outsideAt a safe distance, not from inside the building.
- 3Call the gas companyName your provider and its emergency number. HPD lists Con Edison at 1-800-752-6633 and National Grid at 1-718-643-4050, unless they change.
HPD provides sample wording, and the notice must use a form HPD approves. That's why a properly made sign is safer than writing your own.
Our gas leak notice follows HPD's approved wording, with your gas company's number. Order the gas leak notice, $45
The physical rules
This is the part most owners don't know. The posted notice has real specs:
At least three sixteenths of an inch tall, in bold, well spaced type with high contrast.
Durable and securely fastened: metal, plastic or a decal.
Lit well enough to read easily.
Hard copy. Even if you use a digital screen for other notices, the gas leak notice must stay physical.
A printout taped to the wall doesn't meet these rules. That's one reason this notice is usually made as a metal or plastic sign.
Does it have to be in Spanish?
Post it in English and Spanish. The notice must use a form HPD approves, and HPD's approved sample notice is bilingual. Other notices, like the rent stabilized notice, also require both languages. In an emergency it helps to be understood. If your tenants speak another language, adding it is a smart choice.
Who needs it?
Almost everyone who rents. The posting applies in common areas, and the copy with each lease applies to all tenant occupied units, including rented 1 and 2 family homes. Gas buildings also need CO alarms and soon natural gas detectors. If you want to save space, the gas leak steps can be part of a combined notice with the smoke, CO and natural gas detector notices.
Where to post it
In a common area that's readily visible, usually your lobby notice wall. Put it at eye level with good lighting, as shown in our lobby placement guide. Our complete checklist shows the rest of the wall. Don't forget to hand each tenant a copy with every lease and lease renewal, and keep a record that you did.
Official sources: 28 RCNY gas leak notice rule, HPD sample combined notice, HPD Required Signage.
Quick answers
What if my gas company changes its emergency number?
Update the sign. HPD's numbers are current unless the provider changes them, so check every few years.
Can the gas leak notice be digital?
No. Even when other notices go digital, the suspected gas leak notice must stay in hard copy.
Do I need it in an all electric building?
See Gas Building vs All Electric Building, which covers which notices change when there's no gas.
Not sure what your building needs?
Send us your address and number of apartments. We will tell you exactly which signs to order.
General information based on the NYC HPD Required Signage page as of November 2026. Not legal advice. HPD Signs NYC is not affiliated with the City of New York or HPD. Prices may change. Check nyc.gov/hpd for the latest rules.