Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 258 § 258-13
Landlord's obligation
Operative Text
The landlord is responsible to every displaced tenant for an amount of liquidated damages which amount to double the monthly rent, prorated for every day of displacement, including the day the tenant vacates, until the expiration date of the tenant's lease term or until all deficiencies have been corrected and inspected by the Building Division and the Building Division has determined that the rental unit is suitable for occupancy, whichever date comes first.
Under Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 258 § 258-13, when a tenant is displaced from a rental unit—meaning they are forced to vacate due to conditions or violations covered by this chapter—the landlord owes that tenant liquidated damages equal to twice the monthly rent, calculated on a daily basis for every day of displacement. This obligation runs from the day the tenant vacates through either the end of the lease term or the date the Building Division inspects and certifies the unit as suitable for occupancy, whichever comes first. The provision sets a specific, pre-determined damages formula rather than leaving the amount to case-by-case negotiation or litigation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to ch. 258 § 258-13 generally act to correct any deficiencies that caused a tenant's displacement as quickly as possible, since the liquidated-damages clock—running at double the daily prorated rent—stops only when the Building Division has inspected the unit and confirmed it is suitable for occupancy. Compliant operators typically coordinate closely with the Building Division to schedule inspections promptly once repairs are complete, so that the period of accruing damages is minimized. Keeping thorough records of repair timelines, inspection requests, and Building Division communications is a practice commonly associated with managing obligations under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 258-13 of Ithaca's Code of Ordinances ch. 258, a displaced tenant has a right to liquidated damages from the landlord equal to double the monthly rent, prorated for each day of displacement starting on the day they vacate. This accrual continues until either the lease term expires or the Building Division certifies the unit as occupancy-suitable—whichever is earlier—meaning the longer deficiencies go uncorrected, the more damages may accumulate. Tenants who believe they are owed amounts under this provision may consider contacting the Ithaca Building Division to understand the inspection status of their unit, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with a housing attorney about how to pursue recovery of these damages.
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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