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New York City and State Housing Standards
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City and State Housing Standards Applicable in New York City
| Condition |
Housing Maintenance Code (Administrative Code of the City of New York) § |
Multiple Dwelling Law § |
| Artificial lighting |
||
| Boiler room |
27-2033 (access) |
|
| Building entrance doors and intercom |
N/A |
|
| Cellar entrance |
N/A |
|
| Elevator mirrors |
||
| Entrance halls (bells) |
N/A |
|
| Fire protection, fire escapes and smoke detecting devices |
||
| N/A |
||
| Lighting and ventilation |
||
| Lobby attendant services |
N/A |
|
| Locks to apartment doors; landlord’s right to key |
||
| Mail service |
||
| Painting |
||
| Peepholes |
||
| Privacy |
N/A |
|
| Repairs, vermin, waste collection, janitorial services |
27-2005 , 27-2011 , 27-2018 , 27-2019 , 27-2021 , 27-2023 , 27-2052 to 27-2056 |
|
| Room size minimums and occupancy regulations |
||
| Sewers and drainage |
||
| Stairs |
N/A |
|
| Tenant’s responsibilities |
||
| Vehicle storage |
N/A |
|
| Water closets and bathrooms |
Comparison of Multiple Dwelling Law and Multiple Residence Law Provisions
The Multiple Dwelling Law applies to cities with a population of 325,000 or more (i.e., New York City), while the Multiple Residence Law applies to cities with less than 325,000 and to all towns and villages. Note that municipalities may by local law adopt housing standards that are as strict as the Multiple Dwelling Law or stricter.
| Condition |
MDL § |
MRL § |
| Artificial lighting |
64(1) |
32, 109 |
| Boiler room |
65 |
139 |
| Building entrance doors and intercom |
50-a |
28 |
| Cellar ceilings |
-- |
30 |
| Cellar entrance |
54 |
-- |
| Cellar stairs |
-- |
31 |
| Elevator mirrors |
51-b |
-- |
| Entrance halls (bells) |
57 |
-- |
| Fire protection, fire escapes, smoke detectors |
53, 68, 232 |
133 |
| Heat |
79 |
173 |
| Hot water and water supply |
75 |
41, 170 |
| Lighting and ventilation |
30, 217 |
103 |
| Lobby attendant services |
50-c |
-- |
| Locks to apartment doors, LL's right to key |
51-c |
-- |
| Mail service |
57 |
-- |
| Motor vehicle storage |
60 |
136 |
| Painting |
29, 80 |
-- |
| Peepholes |
51-a |
-- |
| Privacy |
82 |
-- |
| Repair, vermin, waste collection, janitor |
78, 80, 81, 83 |
40, 174 |
| Room size minimums and occupancy regulations |
31, 34 |
104, 106 |
| Sewers and drainage |
77 |
43, 172 |
| Stairs |
52 |
28, 132 |
| Tenant's responsibilities |
78, 80 |
40, 174 |
| Water closets and bathrooms |
76 |
42, 171 |
Legal Disclaimer
The information contained on this web page does not constitute legal advice and must not be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer qualified to give advice on legal issues pertaining to housing. For more, visit our page on Finding a lawyer.
This information pertains only to tenants living in New York City.
Many of your rights depend on the type of housing you live in or your type of tenancy. You may be subject to different laws and have different sets of rights than even neighbors in your own building. Learn which rights and responsibilities apply to you.