Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-102
Discontinuance of utilities
Operative Text
No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required to be supplied by the provisions of this code to be removed or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling unit except for necessary repairs, alterations or emergencies.
Albany Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-102 prohibits anyone who owns, operates, or occupies a property from cutting off or removing any service, facility, equipment, or utility that the housing code requires to be provided to an occupied dwelling unit. The only recognized exceptions are situations involving necessary repairs, alterations, or emergencies. This rule applies broadly, covering not just landlords but also operators and occupants who might otherwise interfere with required services.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albany Code ch. 231 § 231-102, compliant property owners and managers maintain continuous provision of all code-required utilities and services to occupied units. When a temporary interruption is unavoidable—such as for a plumbing repair or an emergency—operators generally document the necessity of the interruption and restore service as promptly as possible. Routine cost-cutting, disputes with tenants, or administrative convenience are not recognized grounds for discontinuing required services under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Albany Code ch. 231 § 231-102 gives occupants of dwelling units a right to continued provision of all services and utilities that the housing code requires, with only narrow exceptions for genuine repairs or emergencies. If a required utility or service has been removed or shut off outside those exceptions, tenants may consider filing a complaint with Albany's code enforcement or housing inspection office, which has authority to investigate violations of Chapter 231. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Albany housing law can also help explain what remedies and defenses may be available under this provision.
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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