Lackawanna, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-15
Tenant accountability
Operative Text
A. With respect to the dwelling unit which the tenant occupies, controls or uses, the tenant shall be responsible for the following standards. (1) Occupancy limitations and the lawful use of the dwelling unit. (2) Maintenance of the dwelling unit in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition. (3) Maintenance of plumbing, cooking and refrigeration equipment, appliances, fixtures and facilities contained in the dwelling unit in a clean and sanitary condition and providing reasonable care in the operation and use thereof. (4) Keeping exits in the dwelling unit free and clear. (5) Disposing of garbage and refuse into provided facilities in a sanitary manner and keeping the dwelling unit free and clear from garbage, refuse, and debris. (6) Keeping domestic animals and pets in an appropriate manner and under control. B. To the extent that the owner can provide the Director or Code Enforcement Officers with competent evidence that tenants have not complied with the above standards or that the tenants have contributed to the existence of housing code violations at the property, the Director may deem such circumstances to be sufficient cause to extend time for the correction of the violations pursuant to § 177-15A(1) to (6) of this chapter.
Section 177-15 of Lackawanna's Code of Ordinances Chapter 177 establishes a set of maintenance and conduct standards that apply directly to tenants within their own dwelling units. These standards cover areas such as cleanliness, sanitation, proper disposal of garbage, keeping exits clear, responsible pet ownership, and lawful use of the unit. The provision also allows the Director to grant landlords additional time to correct housing code violations when there is competent evidence that tenant conduct caused or contributed to those violations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 177-15, property owners in Lackawanna can present competent evidence to the Director or Code Enforcement Officers showing that a tenant's failure to meet the listed maintenance standards caused or contributed to a housing code violation. Compliant operators generally document the condition of units through inspections, written notices to tenants, and photographic records that can support such a showing. When this evidence is accepted, the Director has discretion to extend the timeline for correcting the relevant violations, which can be a meaningful procedural consideration during enforcement proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 177-15 of Lackawanna's Code of Ordinances places specific upkeep responsibilities on tenants, including keeping the unit clean and sanitary, maintaining plumbing and appliances properly, disposing of garbage appropriately, keeping exits clear, and controlling pets. Tenants should be aware that a landlord may use evidence of a tenant's non-compliance with these standards to seek an extension of time to fix housing code violations, potentially delaying remediation of conditions in the unit. Tenants who believe their rights are being affected by enforcement actions under § 177-15 may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how these standards interact with any complaints or proceedings they are involved in.
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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