North Tonawanda, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 51D § 51D-12
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: (1) Occupancy limitations and the lawful use of a 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 Code Enforcement Office with competent evidence that tenants have not complied with the above standards or that tenants have contributed to the existence of housing code violations at the property, the Code Enforcement office may deem such circumstances to be sufficient cause to extend time for the correction of the violations pursuant to § 51D-11 of this chapter.
North Tonawanda, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 51D § 51D-12 establishes a set of maintenance and conduct responsibilities that fall on tenants rather than landlords for the dwelling unit the tenant occupies. These include keeping the unit clean and sanitary, properly disposing of garbage, maintaining plumbing and appliance fixtures in good condition, keeping exits clear, and controlling pets. When a landlord can show the Code Enforcement Office that tenants caused or contributed to housing code violations, that evidence may be used to justify an extended deadline for correcting those violations under § 51D-11.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 51D § 51D-12, compliant property operators generally document the condition of units at move-in and throughout the tenancy so that, if a housing code violation arises, there is a clear record of whether the condition originated with tenant conduct. When a tenant's actions—such as improper garbage disposal, failure to keep exits clear, or misuse of appliances—contribute to a violation, operators typically gather and present competent evidence to the Code Enforcement Office to support a request for an extended correction period under § 51D-11. Maintaining organized inspection records, photographs, and written communications with tenants helps substantiate such a showing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 51D-12 of the North Tonawanda Code of Ordinances outlines specific upkeep duties that are assigned to tenants, including keeping the unit sanitary, disposing of refuse properly, maintaining plumbing and appliance fixtures, keeping exits unobstructed, and controlling pets. Tenants should be aware that if a landlord presents evidence to the Code Enforcement Office that a tenant contributed to a housing code violation, that evidence can affect the timeline for how violations are addressed under § 51D-11. Tenants who believe a violation stems from the landlord's failure to maintain the property—rather than their own conduct—may wish to document conditions carefully and consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for guidance on how to raise that distinction.
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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