Great Neck, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 321 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 321-51
Responsibility 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 provision of 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.
Great Neck, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 321 § 321-51 places a set of housing-standards responsibilities directly on the people who live in a dwelling unit, rather than solely on the property owner. Occupants are expected to keep their portion of the premises clean, safe, and sanitary; avoid overcrowding; maintain plumbing, cooking, and refrigeration equipment properly; keep exits clear; dispose of garbage correctly; and handle pest extermination when only their unit is affected. These obligations exist alongside — and do not eliminate — any duties that landlords or property owners may have under the broader Housing Standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 321-51, a compliant operator generally documents the occupancy limits and sanitation expectations in lease agreements so that tenants are on notice of their responsibilities from the outset. Property managers typically conduct periodic inspections to confirm that exits remain unobstructed and that shared or individual-unit conditions meet Housing Standards, even when day-to-day maintenance of those areas falls to the occupant. Keeping records of any notices provided to tenants about their obligations under this section can help demonstrate that the operator has fulfilled its own duties under Great Neck's Code of Ordinances ch. 321.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 321-51 of Great Neck's Code of Ordinances ch. 321 makes clear that tenants carry direct responsibility for the cleanliness, safety, and proper use of the areas they occupy or control — including keeping exits clear and disposing of refuse properly. If a landlord attempts to hold a tenant responsible for a condition that falls outside the areas the tenant occupies or controls, or that stems from a building-wide infestation rather than a single-unit one, tenants may find that the scope of § 321-51 is relevant to that dispute. Tenants who have questions about how these occupant responsibilities interact with a landlord's obligations can consult a local tenant-rights organization or the relevant municipal code enforcement office for general information.
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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