N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2151
Withdrawal of single room occupancy dwelling units from the rental market prohibited (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. On and after June first, nineteen hundred eighty-seven, an owner of a single room occupancy multiple dwelling which is subject to the provisions of this section shall have a duty (1) to make habitable and maintain in a habitable condition all single room occupancy dwelling units and (2) to rent such habitable single room occupancy dwelling units to bona fide tenants. The duty to rent shall be satisfied by the owner if the owner has in fact rented all such units to bona fide tenants or has, in good faith, made a continuing public offer to rent such units at rents no greater than the rent authorized by law. b. The provisions of this section shall apply to all single room occupancy multiple dwellings which are subject to the provisions of subdivisions a and c of section 27-198.2 of the code during the time such subdivisions a and c are in full force and effect except: 1. any single room occupancy multiple dwelling which is exempted or for which an application for exemption from the provisions of subdivisions a and c of section 27-198.2 of the code has been filed pursuant to paragraphs one, two, or three of subdivision d of section 27-198.2; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall apply to a single room occupancy multiple dwelling on and after the sixtieth day after the date that an application for exemption pursuant to such paragraphs of such subdivision is denied. 2. any single room occupancy dwelling unit with respect to which a payment has been made or a replacement unit has been provided pursuant to subparagraph a of paragraph four of subdivision d of section 27-198.2 of this code. 3. any single room occupancy multiple dwelling for which an application for reduction in payment or replacement units has been made pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph four of subdivision d of section 27-198.2 has been made; provided, however, that an owner shall be required to maintain the same level of occupancy in such multiple dwelling which existed on September twelfth, nineteen hundred eighty-six and provided, further, that the provisions of this section shall apply to such dwelling on and after the sixtieth day after such application is denied. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1986/022 , L.L. 1986/073 , L.L. 1987/001 , and L.L. 1987/009 .
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2151 establish that owners of single room occupancy (SRO) multiple dwellings covered by the relevant code provisions must keep all SRO units in habitable condition and actively rent them to genuine tenants. An owner satisfies the rental duty either by actually renting all units or by making a continuous, good-faith public offer to rent at legally permitted rents. Certain exemptions apply—such as buildings that qualify under specific paragraphs of the related code section—but even in those cases, the rule can snap back into effect 60 days after an exemption application is denied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of SRO multiple dwellings covered by §§ 27-2001 and 27-2151 generally keep every unit maintained to habitable standards and ensure those units are occupied by bona fide tenants or are the subject of an ongoing, good-faith public rental offer at legally authorized rent levels. Owners who have filed exemption applications under the related code provisions should be aware that the obligations under this section resume no later than 60 days after a denial. Maintaining documentation of habitability efforts, rental offers, and occupancy levels—including the occupancy level that existed on September 12, 1986, where relevant—is a practice consistent with compliance under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2151, residents of covered SRO multiple dwellings have a legal basis to expect that their units will be kept habitable and that vacant units in the building will be made available for rent rather than withdrawn from the market. If an owner appears to be failing these duties—for example, by allowing units to fall into disrepair or refusing to rent available units—tenants may have grounds to raise a violation under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with SRO housing in New York City, as well as the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, can be resources for understanding how these protections apply and what complaint or enforcement paths 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 October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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