Brewster, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 148 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 148-45
Responsibilities of owners
Operative Text
A. Owners of premises shall be responsible for compliance with the housing standards and shall remain responsible therefor, regardless of the fact that this article may also place certain responsibilities on operators and occupants and regardless of any agreements between owners and operators or occupants as to which party shall assume such responsibility. B. Owners of premises shall be responsible for proper maintenance, condition and operation of service facilities and for furnishing adequate heat and hot-water supply in multiple dwellings. C. It shall be the obligation of each owner of premises occupied by others to conduct regular inspections of such premises and to ensure that such premises and the occupancy thereof comply with the standards set forth in this chapter.
Brewster, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 148 § 148-45 establishes that property owners bear ultimate responsibility for meeting local housing standards, even when operators or occupants also have duties under the same article and even when private agreements shift responsibility to another party. Owners of multiple dwellings must keep service facilities properly maintained and ensure adequate heat and hot water are supplied. Additionally, owners are obligated to conduct regular inspections of occupied premises to verify ongoing compliance with the chapter's standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 148-45, compliant property owners in Brewster maintain housing conditions that meet local standards regardless of what any lease or management agreement says about who is responsible. Operators generally document routine inspections of occupied units, keep service facilities in working order, and ensure heat and hot water meet the required levels in multiple dwellings. Because § 148-45 makes the owner the party of last resort for compliance, maintaining clear inspection records and promptly addressing deficiencies identified during those inspections is a hallmark of responsible property management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 148-45 of Brewster's housing code gives tenants a meaningful assurance: the owner of their building cannot escape responsibility for housing-standard violations by pointing to a lease clause, a property manager, or the tenant's own obligations. If conditions such as inadequate heat, hot water, or poorly maintained service facilities arise, tenants may report concerns to the local code enforcement or housing authority responsible for administering ch. 148. Tenants can also consult a tenant-rights organization to understand how § 148-45's owner-responsibility framework may apply to their situation and what complaint or enforcement options exist locally.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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