Wallkill, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 140 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 140-58
Responsibilities of occupants
Operative Text
Occupants of dwelling units shall be responsible for compliance with the housing standards in regard to the following: A. Limiting occupancy of that part of the premises which he occupies or controls to the maximum permitted by the housing standards. B. Maintenance of that part of the premises which he occupies or controls in a clean, sanitary and safe condition. C. Maintenance of all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and appliances, as well as other building equipment and storage facilities in that part of the premises which he occupies or controls, in a clean and sanitary condition, and providing reasonable care in the operation and use thereof. D. Keeping exits from his dwelling unit clear and unencumbered. E. Disposal of garbage and refuse into provided facilities in a clean and sanitary manner. F. Extermination of insects, rodents or other pests within his dwelling unit if his unit is the only one infested in the premises. G. Hanging and removing required screens. H. Keeping his domestic animals and pets in an appropriate manner and under control.
Section 140-58 of Wallkill's Code of Ordinances places a set of housing-standard responsibilities directly on the occupants of dwelling units, rather than on property owners. These responsibilities cover day-to-day matters such as keeping occupied spaces clean and safe, maintaining plumbing and appliance fixtures in sanitary condition, keeping exits clear, disposing of garbage properly, controlling pests when only their unit is affected, managing screens, and keeping pets under control. The rule draws a boundary around the portion of the premises the occupant actually uses or controls, limiting the scope of each obligation to that area.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 140-58, a compliant property operator generally understands that certain maintenance and cleanliness obligations shift to tenants for the portions of the premises they occupy or control. Operators typically document lease terms that align with these occupant responsibilities—such as pest control when infestation is isolated to a single unit, proper refuse disposal, and pet management—so that the allocation of duties is clear from the outset of tenancy. Keeping records of unit conditions at move-in and during inspections can help operators distinguish between obligations that remain with the property owner and those assigned to occupants under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 140-58 establishes that tenants bear direct responsibility for a defined list of conditions within the space they occupy or control, including sanitation, exit clearance, garbage disposal, and isolated pest infestations. Tenants should be aware that these obligations exist alongside—not instead of—any duties the landlord retains under other provisions of Wallkill's housing code, and that the pest-control obligation under subsection F applies only when a unit is the sole infested space on the premises. Tenants who have questions about how these responsibilities interact with landlord duties, or who believe obligations are being misapplied, may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the broader housing standards in Chapter 140.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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