Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-37
Floors, walls and ceilings
Operative Text
A. Floors, walls and ceilings of every structure used for human habitation shall be structurally sound and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. B. Floors shall be considered to be structurally sound where capable of safely bearing imposed loads. Walls and ceilings shall be considered to be structurally sound and in good repair when clean, free from breaks, loose plaster and similar conditions. C. Toilet room and bathroom floors shall be maintained so as to prevent leakage of water through the floor, under normal conditions of use and floor washing, and thus prevent the resultant deterioration or defects in structural members and ceilings below.
Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-37 establishes baseline standards for floors, walls, and ceilings in all residential structures. Every such surface must be structurally sound — meaning floors can safely bear normal loads and walls and ceilings are free from breaks, loose plaster, and similar defects — and kept in a clean, sanitary condition. Bathroom and toilet room floors carry an additional requirement: they must be maintained to prevent water from leaking through to structural members and ceilings below under ordinary use and cleaning.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-37, compliant property operators routinely inspect floors, walls, and ceilings for structural deficiencies such as breaks, loose plaster, and signs of water intrusion. Bathroom and toilet room floors receive particular attention, as the code specifically requires that they prevent water from seeping through to lower structural elements. Operators generally document inspections and address identified defects promptly to maintain the clean, sanitary, and structurally sound conditions the ordinance requires.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-37 gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when floors, walls, or ceilings in their unit are structurally unsound, unclean, or in disrepair — including bathroom floors that allow water to leak through. Tenants who observe such conditions may report them to Albany's code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and require corrective action. Local tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what documentation to gather and what options may be available when a landlord does not address habitability defects.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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