N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2052
Definitions (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
When used in this article: (a) Janitorial services means: Cleaning and maintenance, including the making of minor repairs; the furnishing of heat and hot water, where supplied from a central source; the removal of garbage, refuse, ashes and wastes from the premises; and the removal of snow, ice, dirt and other matter from the sidewalk and gutter. (b) Janitor means a person employed to perform janitorial services.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2052 establishes the foundational definitions that govern janitorial obligations in New York City residential buildings. Under this provision, 'janitorial services' encompasses a specific set of duties: routine cleaning and maintenance (including minor repairs), supplying heat and hot water from central systems, removing garbage and waste from the premises, and clearing snow, ice, and debris from sidewalks and gutters. A 'janitor' is defined simply as a person employed to carry out those services. These definitions set the scope for the broader obligations and enforcement provisions that follow in the article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2052 should understand that the term 'janitorial services' has a precise legal meaning that includes cleaning, minor repairs, heat and hot water supply, waste removal, and sidewalk clearance. Compliant operators typically ensure that anyone employed to perform these tasks meets the definition of 'janitor' as used throughout the article, since downstream obligations and enforcement provisions rely on these definitions. Keeping clear employment records that reflect janitorial duties as defined here is a common practice among operators seeking to demonstrate compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2052 defines the baseline scope of janitorial services that residential buildings in New York City are expected to provide, covering cleaning, minor repairs, heat and hot water, garbage removal, and sidewalk maintenance. Tenants can use this definition to understand what services fall within the legal framework when evaluating whether their building is meeting its obligations under the broader article. Those who believe their building is falling short of these defined services may consider contacting a tenant-rights organization or filing a complaint with the appropriate city agency for guidance on available remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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