Oswego, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-71
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 an adequate heat and hot-water supply in multiple residences.
Section 149-71 of Oswego's Code of Ordinances establishes that property owners bear ultimate responsibility for compliance with the city's housing standards, even when operators or occupants also carry certain duties under the chapter. Private agreements between owners and other parties—such as leases or management contracts—do not shift this legal responsibility away from the owner. Additionally, owners of multiple residences are specifically required to maintain service facilities in proper working order and to provide adequate heat and hot water.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 149-71, property owners in Oswego remain the party of record for housing-code compliance regardless of how responsibilities are allocated in management agreements or leases. Compliant operators typically ensure that service facilities—plumbing, heating systems, and related infrastructure—are regularly inspected and maintained, and that heat and hot water meet the city's adequacy standards in all multiple-residence units. Delegating day-to-day operations to a property manager does not insulate an owner from accountability under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 149-71 makes clear that the owner of a rental property in Oswego is ultimately responsible for housing-standard compliance, proper maintenance of service facilities, and the provision of adequate heat and hot water in multiple residences. If a tenant experiences failures in these areas—such as inadequate heat or broken service facilities—the owner cannot deflect responsibility by pointing to a lease clause or a property manager. Tenants experiencing such conditions may consider documenting the issue in writing, contacting Oswego's code enforcement office, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available remedies under § 149-71.
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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