For six weeks this summer, New York City ran a program most homeowners have never heard of: a free, no-strings building inspection where a city inspector walks your property, flags what needs fixing, and hands you zero fines for whatever they find. Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani kicked off this year’s No-Penalty Inspection Program on June 1, running it through July 10, as first reported by The Indian Eye.

A homeowner or small property owner calls 311, gets connected to the right DOB unit, and schedules a field visit. An inspector shows up, looks the building over, and gives guidance on repairs, safety requirements, permits and maintenance. If they spot an actual violation, they tell you how to fix it before any penalty kicks in. Normally a DOB inspector finding a problem means a fine is already on its way. The program does not issue fines for violations found during these inspections.

The inspections cover a specific list: decks and patios, retaining walls, facades for buildings under six stories, boilers, gas piping systems, unregistered private elevator devices, sidewalk vaults and business signs. This year marked the first time the program included inspections of sidewalk vaults and gas piping systems, an expansion the city said was meant to reach more property owners.