North Hempstead, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 28 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 28-27
Responsibilities of occupants
Operative Text
Occupants of dwelling units shall be responsible for compliance with this chapter in regard to the following: A. Limiting occupancy of that part of the premises which he occupies or controls to the maximum permitted by this code. 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 providing 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, in accordance with the provisions of the Town of North Hempstead. F. Extermination of insects, rodents or other pests within his dwelling unit. G. Maintaining of yards, lawns and courts in a clean, sanitary and safe condition and free from infestation insofar as said occupant occupies or controls said yards, lawns and courts or any parts thereof. H. The installation and removal of required screens. I. Keeping his domestic animals and pets in an appropriate manner and under control. J. Elimination of all prohibited uses for that part of the premises which he occupies, controls or has accessibility thereto.
Section 28-27 of North Hempstead's Code of Ordinances Chapter 28 places a range of upkeep and conduct responsibilities directly on the people who live in dwelling units, rather than solely on property owners. Occupants are expected to keep their living spaces, fixtures, appliances, and any yards or courts they control clean, sanitary, and safe, and to manage things like pest control, garbage disposal, pet behavior, and clear exits within their portion of the premises. The rule also requires occupants to stay within permitted occupancy limits and to avoid prohibited uses of any area they occupy or have access to.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under North Hempstead Code § 28-27, a number of day-to-day maintenance and conduct obligations fall on occupants rather than on the property owner, which can be relevant when evaluating lease terms and enforcement responsibilities. Compliant operators typically document these occupant duties in lease agreements, conduct periodic inspections to confirm that shared or individual spaces are being maintained appropriately, and keep records of any notices issued when occupant-side conditions fall short. Understanding which obligations the code assigns to occupants versus owners helps property managers respond accurately if a code-enforcement inspection raises questions about the source of a violation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 28-27 of Chapter 28 makes clear that tenants carry direct legal responsibility for a defined set of conditions within the portions of a dwelling they occupy or control, including cleanliness, pest extermination, garbage disposal, pet management, and keeping exits clear. Tenants who receive a code-enforcement notice related to these occupant duties may want to review the specific subsection cited to understand exactly what the provision covers and whether the condition in question falls within their assigned responsibilities or the landlord's. Tenant-rights organizations in Nassau County can help occupants understand how these obligations interact with any lease provisions or with other sections of the North Hempstead housing code.
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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