Johnstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 237 § 237-7
Landlord registration statement
Operative Text
A. Every owner of a rental property as defined above shall file with the Registry Authority, within 90 days after the adoption of this chapter, a landlord registration statement on forms to be supplied by the Registry Authority, containing the following information: (1) Property description. A description of the premises, including: address, number of units, number of floors, total number of bedrooms, whether the units are rented or leased, the name listed on the property deed, and any other identifying information as requested by the Registry Authority. (2) Owner information. The owner's name, physical address (a P.O. box is not acceptable), mailing address, and primary and secondary voice telephone numbers. If available, a fax number and/or an e-mail address may be provided. (3) Designation of managing agent. If a managing agent is required, then the owner shall provide the following information: the name, business address, business telephone number, and fax number of the managing agent. (4) Insurance information. The name, address, and business telephone number of the insurance provider, along with a copy of the insurance policy. B. The owner shall be obligated, at all times, to keep this information updated, and when there is a change in any of the requested items (ownership, managing agent, insurance coverage, etc.), the owner shall update the information by amending the landlord registration statement within 30 days from the date of any such change. C. Upon completion, execution and submission of the landlord registration statement as aforesaid, said registration shall be reviewed by the Code Enforcement Office or their designee for adequacy. Should the Code Enforcement Office and/or their designee determine that said application is incomplete for any reason, said application shall be marked "rejected" and returned to the filer. A rejected application shall not be deemed compliant with the requirements of this article. D. Where, after filing any landlord registration statement in relation to any rental property under the applicable provisions of this article, the owner of such property shall have granted or transferred his/her right, title or interest therein or in any part thereof, the new owner shall file a new landlord registration statement with the Code Enforcement Office within 30 days after such grant or transfer. E. Any designation of the managing agent made pursuant to the applicable provisions of this section shall cease to be effective if such agent shall die or be judicially declared incompetent. An owner may terminate such designation by filing with the Code Enforcement Office a sworn written statement designating a new managing agent made in conformity with the provisions previously cited. F. The landlord registration statement shall be signed by the owner, or if such owner is a corporation, by an officer thereof, or if such owner is a partnership, by a partner thereof, and said statements must be sworn to under the penalties of perjury. G. If a managing agent is designated pursuant to the applicable provisions of this section, the landlord registration statement shall also be signed by said managing agent. H. Any landlord registration statement or designation of a managing agent shall be deemed accepted proof of the statement therein contained, in any criminal or civil prosecution instituted by the City or by any proper prosecutorial agency against the owner or managing agent of a rental property.
Section 237-7 of Johnstown's Code of Ordinances establishes a mandatory registration system for rental property owners in the city. Owners must submit a detailed landlord registration statement to the Registry Authority covering property details, owner contact information, managing agent information (if applicable), and insurance coverage. The registration must be kept current, with updates filed within 30 days of any change, and ownership transfers trigger a new filing requirement within 30 days of the transfer. Statements signed under penalty of perjury may be used as evidence in civil or criminal proceedings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 237-7, compliant rental property owners in Johnstown file an initial landlord registration statement with the Registry Authority within the required timeframe, providing accurate property descriptions, owner contact details, managing agent information where applicable, and current insurance documentation. Operators generally maintain the registration as a living record, submitting amendments within 30 days whenever ownership, management, or insurance information changes. When a property is sold or transferred, the new owner files a fresh registration statement with the Code Enforcement Office within 30 days of the transaction, and all statements are signed under penalty of perjury by the appropriate party — owner, corporate officer, or partner.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 237-7 gives Johnstown tenants an indirect but meaningful protection: their landlord is legally required to be registered and to keep contact and insurance information on file with the city's Registry Authority. If a tenant has difficulty identifying a property owner or managing agent, the Code Enforcement Office may have registration records on file that can help clarify who is responsible for the property. Tenants who believe a landlord is operating without a valid registration, or that registration information is outdated, can contact the Johnstown Code Enforcement Office or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand what options may be available.
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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