Violations & compliance · 10/13/2026
NYC Opens ECB Amnesty to Cut Fines and Interest on Old Judgments
The Department of Finance is running a three-month amnesty for unpaid Environmental Control Board judgments adjudicated by OATH. Eligible respondents can have certain fines and interest waived and pay the reduced amount in full online at nyc.gov/mysummons or at a DOF business center. Judgments that also require corrective action qualify only if the issuing agency approves the correction in time.
Published by NYC Department of FinanceRead the original ↗
What happened
The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) opened a temporary amnesty for unpaid Environmental Control Board (ECB) judgments on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It is called the ECB Amnesty and Compliance Program, also branded Debt Demolisher. It ends Sunday, January 10, 2027. Mayor Mamdani and the City Council authorized it, and DOF runs it. It covers ECB judgments issued by various city agencies and decided by the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
DOF says eligible people may have certain fines and interest waived. Savings vary and in some cases may reach 75%. The amount depends on when the violation went into judgment and whether the respondent attended the OATH hearing. Habitat Magazine described the program more narrowly, as waiving some interest so owners can pay the original fine. Habitat, citing The City Reporter, said the city hopes to collect up to $25 million. It reported that a DOF review in March found potential unpaid debt of $573 million, plus $744 million deemed uncollectible.
To take part, search at www.nyc.gov/mysummons by name and address, ticket number, or OATH ID number, or go to any DOF business center. Each selected judgment must be paid in full with a single payment. Separate judgments can be paid in separate transactions before the deadline. Judgments not paid in full by the end of the program revert to the full amount. Judgments that also require corrective action qualify only if the issuing agency approves the correction and DOF receives electronic confirmation before the program ends.
According to DOF's FAQ, judgments entered after July 15, 2026 are not eligible. Judgments already paid in full get no refund or retroactive discount. A remaining balance after a partial payment may still qualify. Habitat reported that the program excludes tickets that stemmed from a citizen complaint, violations converted into tax liens, those under criminal investigation, and violations in an agreement with the sheriff, a city marshal or the Corporation Counsel.
Key facts
- Program
- ECB Amnesty and Compliance Program (Debt Demolisher)
- Agency
- NYC Department of Finance administers; OATH adjudicated the judgments
- Dates
- October 13, 2026 to January 10, 2027
- Savings
- Varies; in some cases up to 75%, per DOF
- Eligibility cutoff
- Judgments entered after July 15, 2026 are not eligible
- Payment rule
- Each judgment paid in full in a single payment; unpaid items revert to full amount after the program
- Where to apply
- www.nyc.gov/mysummons, any DOF business center, or call 311 with questions
- City collection goal
- Up to $25 million, per Habitat Magazine
What it means
Landlords
Owners with old ECB judgments, including DOB, Sanitation or DOT violations, can look them up at nyc.gov/mysummons and see which are eligible. If a judgment also needs corrective action, contact the issuing agency now about a Certificate of Correction, because DOF must receive confirmation before January 10, 2027.
Buyers and owners
Co-ops, condos and other owners can clear eligible judgments at a reduced amount. Already-paid judgments get no refund. Someone not named on a judgment may pay it, which can matter when settling building debts.
Caseworkers
Clients who own small buildings or businesses and carry ECB judgments may be able to resolve them for less before the deadline. Default judgments entered after the cutoff are not eligible, but DOF says they may fit the separate OATH-Adjudicated ECB Violations Settlement Program.
The highlights
- The program runs from Oct. 13, 2026 through Jan. 10, 2027.
- Savings depend on judgment date and hearing attendance, up to 75% in some cases.
- Violations needing correction count only if DOF gets agency approval by Jan. 10.
Why it matters Landlords
Owners with old OATH/ECB judgments, such as DOB violations, may clear them for less, but repairs must be certified before the deadline.
What to do: Look up your ECB judgments at nyc.gov/mysummons before Jan. 10, 2027.
Not known yet
- How the exact discount is calculated for each judgment date and hearing status
- How long issuing agencies take to approve corrections before the deadline
- Whether the program will be extended or repeated
- How many property owners hold eligible judgments
Background
In NYC, agencies such as the Department of Buildings, Sanitation and Transportation issue summonses that are heard at OATH. If a respondent loses or does not appear, a penalty is imposed. Unpaid penalties can become judgments that DOF collects, and interest can grow over time. Some violations also require the condition to be fixed and certified to the issuing agency, not just paid.
Also drawn from: ECB Amnesty and Compliance Program frequently asked questions (NYC Department of Finance) · Debt Demolisher Program to Help Co-ops and Condos Clear Unpaid Fines (Habitat Magazine)
Summary written by Bulwark from the NYC Department of Finance’s announcement. The original story is at nyc.gov. This is general information, not legal advice.
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Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0