Rensselaer, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 121 § 121-78
Vacation of unfit premises
Operative Text
Any dwelling, dwelling unit, lodging house, lodging unit, rooming house or rooming unit designated as unfit for human habitation pursuant to § 121-75 and ordered that a notice be posted and vacated as provided in § 121-77 shall be vacated within such reasonable time as the chief officer of the Bureau may specify in the order. No such dwelling, dwelling unit, lodging house, lodging unit, rooming house or rooming unit shall again be used for human habitation and said posted notice removed until written approval is secured from the chief officer of the Bureau.
Section 121-78 of Rensselaer's Code of Ordinances establishes that once a residential unit has been officially designated unfit for human habitation and a vacation order has been issued under the related provisions, occupants must leave within the timeframe set by the Bureau's chief officer. The unit cannot be reoccupied or have its posted notice removed until the Bureau's chief officer provides written approval. This rule applies to a broad range of residential structures, including dwellings, lodging houses, and rooming units.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 121-78, property owners and managers are expected to comply with any vacation order within the timeframe specified by the Bureau's chief officer, and to refrain from allowing any reoccupancy of the affected unit until written approval has been obtained from that officer. Compliant operators typically document all communications with the Bureau, address the conditions that led to the unfit designation, and formally request written clearance before permitting any tenant to return. Removing the posted notice or re-renting the space before receiving that written approval would place an operator in violation of this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 121-78 means that if your unit has been declared unfit for human habitation and a vacation order has been issued, you have a right to know the specific timeframe the Bureau's chief officer has set for vacating. Equally important, the unit cannot legally be re-rented or reoccupied—and the posted notice cannot be removed—until the Bureau's chief officer issues written approval, which provides a measure of protection against being pressured back into an unsafe space. Tenants who believe this provision is being violated may consider contacting the Bureau directly, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or exploring whether the violation can be raised in any related housing proceeding.
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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