Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-119
Vacated dwelling made secure
Operative Text
The owner, agent, occupant or operator of any dwelling, dwelling unit, lodging house, lodging unit, rooming house or rooming unit which has been designated as unfit for human habitation and vacated shall make such dwelling, dwelling unit, lodging house, lodging unit, rooming house or rooming unit safe and secure in whatever manner the chief officer of the Bureau shall deem necessary. Any vacated building, open at the doors and windows, if unguarded shall be deemed dangerous to human life and a nuisance within the meaning of this provision.
Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-119 establishes that once a dwelling or rooming unit is officially declared unfit for human habitation and vacated, the responsible party must secure it in whatever way the chief officer of the Bureau determines is necessary. A vacated building left open at its doors or windows without a guard is automatically considered dangerous to human life and a public nuisance under this provision. The rule applies broadly to owners, agents, occupants, and operators of any type of residential dwelling covered by the code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-119, property owners and their agents are generally expected to promptly secure any dwelling unit that has been officially vacated and declared unfit for human habitation. Compliant operators typically board up or otherwise close off all door and window openings in accordance with whatever measures the chief officer of the Bureau specifies, since an unsecured opening can trigger a nuisance designation. Keeping documentation of all securing actions and any communications with the Bureau is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-119 is relevant to tenants who may be living near or have recently vacated a dwelling that has been declared unfit for human habitation, as it establishes that such properties must be secured against open access. If a vacated building in your area appears to be left open and unguarded, that condition is defined as a nuisance under this provision, and a complaint may be filed with the relevant city bureau or code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations in Albany can help explain how this provision interacts with other housing code protections that may apply to your situation.
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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