North Hempstead, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 28 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 28-28
Responsibility of owners
Operative Text
A. Owners of premises shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this code and shall remain responsible therefor regardless of the fact that this code 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 and operators of multiple dwellings shall be responsible for proper installation, maintenance, condition and operation of service facilities and for furnishing adequate heat and hot water supply where they have contracted to do so. C. Whenever any person or persons shall be in actual possession of or have charge, care or control of any property within the Town as executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, operator or agent, such person shall be deemed and taken to be the owner or owners of said property within the true intent and meaning of this code and shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this code to the same extent as the record owner, and notice to any such person or any order or decision of the Enforcement Officer shall be deemed and taken to be a good and sufficient notice, as if such person or persons were actually the record owner or owners of such property. In instances where an occupant is responsible or shares responsibility with the owner for the existence of one or more violations of this code, said occupant shall be deemed and taken to be an owner within the true intent and meaning of this code. D. Whenever residential buildings containing two or more dwelling units are leased, the owner shall post in a conspicuous place at the entrance or entrances thereof, and in such a manner as to secure against its removal, a placard containing thereon the name and address of the owner of the premises and that telephone number to be used in the event of an emergency.
North Hempstead Code ch. 28 § 28-28 establishes that property owners bear ultimate responsibility for complying with the town's housing code, even when operators or occupants also carry duties or when private agreements shift responsibility to another party. The provision extends 'owner' status to anyone exercising actual control over a property—such as an executor, trustee, or agent—meaning those individuals are bound by the code to the same degree as the record owner. For multi-unit residential buildings, owners must also post a placard at each entrance displaying the owner's name, address, and emergency contact telephone number in a way that resists removal.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under North Hempstead Code ch. 28 § 28-28, compliant operators of multi-unit residential buildings generally ensure that a durable placard listing the owner's name, address, and emergency phone number is posted conspicuously at every building entrance and secured against removal. Those who manage, control, or act as agents for a property are treated as owners for code-compliance purposes, so property managers and trustees should be aware that notices and enforcement orders directed at them carry the same legal weight as if directed at the record owner. Owners who have contracted to supply heat and hot water are responsible for the proper installation, maintenance, and operation of those service facilities regardless of any lease provisions that might otherwise shift that duty.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
North Hempstead Code ch. 28 § 28-28 makes clear that tenants have a right to look to the property owner—or anyone exercising control over the property—for housing code compliance, and private agreements between owners and managers do not diminish that accountability. Tenants in buildings with two or more units can check whether the required owner-identification placard is posted at the building entrance; its absence may itself constitute a code violation that can be reported to the town's Enforcement Officer. Tenants who believe a violation exists under ch. 28 § 28-28 may consider contacting the North Hempstead Enforcement Officer, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or exploring whether a violation can be raised as a defense in relevant proceedings.
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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