Rotterdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 265 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 265-11
Responsibilities of owners
Operative Text
A. Owners, operators and tenants shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this chapter and shall remain responsible therefor, regardless of any agreement purporting to delegate the responsibilities set forth herein, with the exception of those responsibilities charged to occupants as designated in § 265-12 . B. Owners and operators of buildings shall be responsible for the proper installation, maintenance, condition and operation of service facilities. Owners and operators shall furnish adequate heat, hot water, and air conditioning when contractually responsible to do so.
Rotterdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 265 § 265-11 establishes that owners, operators, and tenants each carry responsibility for complying with the chapter's housing standards, and that responsibility cannot be shifted away through private agreements or lease clauses. Owners and operators bear a specific duty to properly install, maintain, and operate service facilities in their buildings. When a lease or contract obligates them to do so, owners and operators must also supply adequate heat, hot water, and air conditioning.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rotterdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 265 § 265-11, compliant building owners and operators generally keep all service facilities—such as heating systems, water heaters, and HVAC equipment—properly installed, maintained, and in working order. When a lease or other contract commits the owner or operator to providing heat, hot water, or air conditioning, delivering those services at adequate levels is part of that obligation. Importantly, attempting to transfer these responsibilities to tenants through lease language does not relieve the owner or operator of their duties under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Rotterdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 265 § 265-11 makes clear that tenants retain certain rights to properly maintained service facilities regardless of what a lease may say about shifting maintenance responsibilities. If an owner or operator fails to provide adequate heat, hot water, or air conditioning as required by their contractual obligations, that failure may constitute a violation of this chapter. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may consider documenting the conditions, contacting the local code enforcement office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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