Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 186 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 186-81
Responsibilities of owners
Operative Text
A. Owners of premises shall be responsible for compliance with the housing standards, and shall remain responsible therefor regardless of the fact that this chapter may also place certain responsibilities on operators and occupants, and regardless of any agreements between owners and operators or occupants as to which party shall assume such responsibility. B. Owners of premises shall be responsible for proper maintenance, condition and operation of service facilities, and for furnishing adequate heat and hot-water supply in multiple dwellings.
Section 186-81 of Massena's Code of Ordinances establishes that property owners bear ultimate responsibility for compliance with local housing standards, even when operators or occupants also have duties under the same chapter. Private agreements between an owner and an operator or tenant cannot shift this legal responsibility away from the owner. Additionally, owners of multiple dwellings are specifically required to maintain service facilities in proper condition and to provide adequate heat and hot water.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 186-81, a property owner's obligation to meet Massena's housing standards is non-delegable — meaning that even if a lease or management agreement assigns maintenance duties to an operator or tenant, the owner remains accountable for code compliance. Compliant operators typically conduct regular inspections of service facilities, document heating and hot-water system performance, and ensure that any contractual arrangements with managers or tenants do not create gaps in actual maintenance coverage. Owners of multiple dwellings pay particular attention to the adequacy of heat and hot-water supply, since § 186-81 calls these out as direct owner responsibilities.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 186-81 gives tenants in Massena a clear basis for holding property owners — not just building managers or operators — accountable for housing standard violations, including failures to provide adequate heat or hot water in multiple dwellings. Even if a landlord points to a lease clause or management agreement as shifting responsibility, § 186-81 makes clear that the owner cannot use such arrangements as a shield against compliance obligations. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may consider documenting conditions, contacting the local code enforcement office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization to understand available complaint and enforcement paths.
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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