NY Tenant's Rights and responsibilities

Tenants have the right to live in safe, well maintained buildings that are:

• Free from pests, leaks, mold, and other potentially hazardous conditions.

• Provided with basic services such as heat, hot water, cold water, and electricity.

• Free from harassment by the owner and the owner’s employees.

Tenants have responsibilities to their building owners and other tenants.

• They may not damage the building, intentionally or through neglect.

• Tenants are responsible for the actions of their guests.

• Tenants must respond to annual owner inquiries related to window guards and lead-based paint, and maintain smoke

and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Tenants must obey the legal terms of leases, pay rent on time, honor the rights of other tenants, and provide access for repairs.

Owners must ensure that common areas and individual apartments in their buildings are safe and well maintained in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code (HMC) and Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL). 

Among other responsibilities, owners must:

• Provide and maintain security measures, heat, hot and cold water, and good lighting.
• Address leaks, mold, and pest issues immediately and conduct annual inspections for these conditions.
• Provide smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and ensure appropriate fire egress.
• Protect children by complying with regulations regarding lead-based paint and window guards.
• Post a notice about the availability of the ABCs of Housing in the common area of their building (see inside back cover for a sample of the notice that must be posted).
• Post appropriate signage at the building, file appropriate documents with HPD, and provide appropriate notices to tenants.
•  Only rent legal residential space for living, as defined by a property’s Certificate of Occupancy.
• Maintain records about compliance with lead- based paint regulations.
• Property owners cannot lock tenants out of apartments or otherwise harass tenants to leave an apartment. Owners can bring eviction proceedings if tenants do not meet their responsibilities.