Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-57
Heating requirements
Operative Text
Every dwelling and multifamily dwelling shall have heating facilities, and the owner of the heating facilities shall be required to see that they are properly installed, safely maintained and in good working condition and that they are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms located herein to a temperature of at least an average of 70º F. with an outside temperature of 10º below zero. The owner of the heating facilities shall maintain a minimum average room temperature of 70ºF. in all habitable rooms, including bathrooms and toilet rooms, when rented, at all times on the basis of 10º below zero outside.
Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-57 establishes that every dwelling and multifamily dwelling must be equipped with heating facilities capable of maintaining an average indoor temperature of at least 70°F even when outside temperatures drop to 10°F below zero. The rule places responsibility on the owner of the heating facilities to ensure those systems are properly installed, safely maintained, and in good working order at all times. This standard applies to all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms throughout the rental period.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-57, property owners and managers are generally expected to keep heating systems professionally installed, routinely serviced, and capable of reaching the 70°F threshold under the coldest design conditions specified in the code. Compliant operators typically document maintenance inspections, address repair needs promptly, and verify that all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms meet the temperature standard whenever units are occupied. Keeping records of service calls and thermostat readings can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with § 231-57.
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 § 231-57 gives tenants the right to live in a unit where heating facilities maintain at least 70°F in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms throughout the rental period. If a unit fails to meet this standard, tenants may have grounds to report the condition to Albany's code enforcement office, raise the violation in housing court proceedings, or seek guidance from a local tenant-rights organization familiar with § 231-57. Documenting temperature readings, dates, and any communications with the owner about heating problems can be useful when pursuing any of these general paths.
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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