Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-166
Maintenance of private space by occupant
Operative Text
Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall keep in clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling, dwelling unit or premises thereof, which he occupies or controls.
Section 12-166 of Poughkeepsie's Code of Ordinances places a cleanliness obligation on the people who actually live in or control a space. Specifically, each occupant is responsible for keeping their own portion of a dwelling or dwelling unit — and any associated premises they control — in a clean and sanitary state. The rule focuses on the occupant's sphere of control rather than the building as a whole.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 12-166, the cleanliness duty for occupied spaces falls on the occupant, which can be relevant when distinguishing between landlord and tenant maintenance responsibilities. Compliant property managers typically document the condition of units at move-in and move-out, and include lease language that mirrors this occupant-level sanitation standard. Keeping records of inspections and any notices issued helps demonstrate that the property owner's obligations are separate from those assigned to occupants by this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-166 establishes that tenants and other occupants bear direct responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness and sanitary condition of the space they occupy or control within a dwelling. If a landlord raises a violation of this provision, tenants may find it useful to have documentation — such as photos or written communications — showing the condition of their unit. Tenant-rights organizations in Poughkeepsie can help occupants understand how this provision interacts with broader habitability standards and what options may be available if disputes arise.
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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