N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2138
Obligations of owner not affected (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve the owner of any civil or criminal liability incurred or any duty imposed by law by reason of acts or omissions of the owner prior to the appointment of a receiver, nor shall anything contained herein be construed to suspend during the receivership any obligation of the owner for the payment of taxes or other operating and maintenance expenses of the dwelling nor of the owner or any other person for the payment of mortgages or liens.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2138, the appointment of a court-ordered receiver over a dwelling does not erase or pause any legal obligations that existed before the receivership began. An owner's civil or criminal liability for prior acts or omissions remains intact, and financial duties such as paying property taxes, operating costs, and mortgage or lien obligations continue uninterrupted throughout the receivership period. In short, receivership is not a shield against pre-existing legal or financial responsibilities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers should understand that N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2138 makes clear that a receivership does not discharge obligations that arose before a receiver was appointed. Compliant operators generally continue to satisfy tax payments, mortgage obligations, and other carrying costs even when a receiver is managing the property, because those duties run with ownership rather than with day-to-day control. Owners who have outstanding civil or criminal exposure from prior conduct should be aware that such liability is preserved regardless of any subsequent receivership order.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants, N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2138 signals that a building owner cannot use a receivership to escape accountability for conditions or conduct that predated the receiver's appointment. If an owner caused harm or violated the law before a receiver took over, that liability survives the change in management, which may be relevant when pursuing complaints or legal remedies related to those earlier conditions. Tenants seeking to understand how this provision applies to a specific building situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with New York City housing law.
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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