It's common for a NYC property to carry open DOB job filings that have nothing to do with the current owner's plans — permits pulled by a previous owner that were never closed out, an application that expired without being withdrawn, or a filing that stalled mid-review years ago and was simply forgotten. These sit on a property's DOB record indefinitely until someone actively resolves them, and they can complicate a sale, a refinance, or a new permit application whenever they surface.
At SUFFIX ARCHITECT, we review a property's full DOB filing history to identify exactly what's still open, determine what needs to happen to close each one out — completing work that was left unfinished, withdrawing a filing that's no longer relevant, or amending an application to reflect actual current conditions — and manage that closeout process directly with DOB.
This is often uncovered during the initial site assessment for an unrelated new project, since a DOB records review is a standard part of how we evaluate a property before design begins. Rather than leaving an old filing as a loose end for the client to address separately, we resolve it as part of the same engagement, so a new project's own permit doesn't get delayed by an unrelated open filing sitting on the same address.
If a title search, refinance, or unrelated project has surfaced an old open filing on your property, we can review your DOB history and manage the closeout process to get your record clear.
Open job filing FAQs
How do I find out whether my property has open DOB filings?
DOB records are public and can be searched by address in DOB BIS and DOB NOW, but they can be hard to read. Filings are listed by job number, status codes aren't always clear, and older jobs may sit in a different system than newer ones. We review the full history and explain what each open item means and what it will take to resolve.
Why do open filings matter if no work is happening?
Open jobs stay on the property's record until they're resolved. They can come up during a sale, a refinance or a co-op or condo board review, and they can hold up a new permit or a Certificate of Occupancy. Unresolved open items are one of the common causes we cover in Certificate of Occupancy delays in NYC.
What are the ways to close out an open filing?
It depends on what happened to the job. If the work was finished, it typically needs inspections and sign-offs to close. If the work was never started or is no longer wanted, the filing can often be withdrawn. If what was built differs from what was filed, the application may need to be amended to match actual conditions first.
Can I close out a filing left by a previous owner?
Yes. Many of the filings we close out were opened by a previous owner or a contractor who is no longer involved. As the current owner, you can authorize us to resolve them.
Related services
Open filings often turn up during our site visit and assessment. If there are violations on the property as well, see our DOB violation removal services, and for work that was never permitted, our guide to legalizing unpermitted renovations in NYC.
