Elmira, N.Y., Code ch. 8, art. V § 8-523
Responsibilities of occupants
Operative Text
(a) Occupants shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this article and, with respect to premises occupied, the housing standards in regard to the following: (1) Occupancy limitations and its lawfully permitted use; (2) Maintenance in a clean, safe and sanitary condition; (3) Maintenance of plumbing, cooking and refrigeration equipment, appliances, fixtures and facilities, in a clean and sanitary condition, and providing reasonable care in operation and use thereof; (4) Keeping exits free and clear; (5) Disposing of garbage and refuse into provided facilities in a sanitary manner and keeping the premises free and clear therefrom; (6) Exterminating of insects, vermin, rodents, pests and elimination of harborage; and (7) Keeping domestic animals and pets in an appropriate manner and under control.
Elmira Code ch. 8, art. V § 8-523 places a set of housing-standard responsibilities directly on the people who occupy a dwelling, not just on the property owner. Occupants are expected to keep their unit clean, sanitary, and safe; maintain plumbing and kitchen equipment properly; keep exits clear; dispose of garbage appropriately; address pest and vermin problems; and manage pets responsibly. The rule also requires that occupants stay within the lawfully permitted use and occupancy limits of the space they inhabit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Elmira Code ch. 8, art. V § 8-523, occupants share direct responsibility for many day-to-day housing conditions, which can affect how a landlord documents and responds to code complaints. Compliant operators typically keep records of tenant obligations in lease agreements, conduct periodic inspections to verify that units are maintained in accordance with the code, and address any conditions—such as pest harborage—that may originate from structural deficiencies rather than occupant behavior. Understanding the boundary between owner and occupant responsibility under § 8-523 helps property managers respond appropriately when violations are identified.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Elmira Code ch. 8, art. V § 8-523 makes clear that tenants carry their own set of housing-standard obligations, including keeping the unit sanitary, maintaining appliances with reasonable care, clearing exits, disposing of refuse properly, controlling pests, and managing pets appropriately. Tenants who believe a condition in their unit stems from a landlord's failure—such as a structural defect enabling rodent entry—rather than their own conduct may have grounds to raise that distinction when responding to a code complaint or violation notice. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Elmira's housing code can help occupants understand how responsibilities are allocated under § 8-523 and what options are generally available.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation