Window Guards in NYC: Who Needs Them and How to Keep Them Clean
01.07.2026
In New York City, your landlord must install window guards in every window of your apartment (except a required fire-escape window) if a child 10 years old or younger lives there, or whenever you request them in writing — even if you have no kids. This is an HPD rule under the NYC Health Code, and it applies to buildings with three or more units.
What you'll need
- A written request to your landlord (email counts as written notice — keep a copy)
- The annual window guard notice your landlord is required to send you (return it every year)
- A microfiber cloth for cleaning, not paper towels that shred on the metal edges
- Warm water with a small amount of dish soap in a bowl
- An old toothbrush or soft brush for the bracket screws and hinge points
- A dry towel and a flathead screwdriver to check that screws are still snug
Step by step
- Confirm whether the rule applies to you. If a child 10 or under lives in or regularly stays in your unit, guards are mandatory. Any tenant can also request them in writing regardless of children.
- Send your landlord a dated written request. They are legally responsible for buying, installing, and maintaining the guards at no cost to you. Do not install your own — improper installation is both a safety risk and a violation.
- Return the annual notice. Every January your landlord must send a form asking whether guards are needed. If you don't return it, they can enter to inspect.
- Inspect what's installed. A proper guard has vertical bars no more than 4.5 inches apart and is screwed into the window frame, not just pressure-fit. Report anything loose or rusted.
- Clean the guard in place. Dip your microfiber cloth in the soapy water, wring it out, and wipe each bar top to bottom. Work the brush into the bracket corners where grime collects.
- Wipe the sill and track underneath. City soot and radiator dust settle here fast, especially in the roughly three-quarters of NYC apartments with steam heat. Dry everything so screws and brackets don't sit wet.
- Check the screws with your screwdriver. They should not turn freely. If a guard shifts when you push it, stop using that window and notify your landlord in writing.
What NOT to do
Never remove a window guard yourself, even temporarily to clean or to fit an air conditioner — removing a required guard is illegal and dangerous, and AC units need their own bracket, not a gap in the guard. Don't spray cleaner directly into the bracket screws; standing moisture rusts the hardware and the metal frame around a steam-heated window. Avoid steel wool or abrasive pads on painted or vinyl frames — they scratch the finish and expose bare metal that then rusts. And don't rely on a pressure-fit "baby gate" style guard sold online; NYC requires guards permanently fastened to the frame, and a store-bought substitute won't meet HPD standards.
When to call a pro
Installing or repairing window guards is your landlord's job, not a cleaning task — so start there in writing. But if you're staring at years of soot on the sills, radiator grime baked into the tracks, or a move-out deadline and no time to scrub every window and guard in a small apartment, that's where a cleaning service earns its keep. Our team handles the detail work — sills, tracks, guards, and the corners you can't reach around a non-opening window. Book apartment cleaning with CleanWhale and hand off the tedious part.
FAQ
Do I need window guards if I don't have kids?
Not automatically, but any tenant can request them in writing and the landlord must install them at no charge. Many renters ask for them anyway for peace of mind, especially in higher floors or with visiting grandchildren.
Who pays for window guards in a NYC apartment?
Your landlord. In buildings with three or more units, the owner must furnish, install, and maintain window guards at no cost to the tenant. You should never be charged or asked to install your own.
Can my landlord charge me for cleaning or replacing a rusted guard?
No. Maintenance, including replacing a rusted or broken guard, is the landlord's responsibility. Report the problem in writing and keep a copy in case you need to file an HPD complaint.
Are window guards required in the fire-escape window?
No. The one window that provides access to a fire escape is exempt so it stays usable in an emergency. Every other window in the apartment still needs a guard when the rule applies.
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