Suffern, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 162 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 162-9
Discontinuance of services or utilities
Operative Text
Upon the discontinuance of gas or electric service for cause by a public utility company or upon discontinuance of any municipal or other service for cause, the Housing Inspector shall be notified and shall thereupon take immediate steps to have the responsible person correct conditions leading to such discontinuance of services, if possible. Because such utilities and services are essential for the health, safety and welfare of the occupants of any dwelling, no dwelling may continue to be occupied after removal or discontinuance of any service, facility, equipment or utility, except for temporary interruptions during actual repair work or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by the Housing Inspector. This section shall not be construed to prevent the cessation or discontinuance of any such service upon order of the Housing Inspector or any other authorized official.
Section 162-9 of Suffern's Code of Ordinances establishes that when gas, electric, or other essential services are cut off for cause, the Housing Inspector must be notified and must act promptly to have the responsible party address the underlying conditions. Because these utilities are considered essential to occupant health, safety, and welfare, a dwelling generally cannot remain occupied once a service is removed or discontinued. Limited exceptions exist for brief interruptions during active repair work or during temporary emergencies that the Housing Inspector has approved.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 162-9, operators of residential dwellings in Suffern are generally expected to maintain uninterrupted gas, electric, and other essential services for occupants. When a utility is discontinued for cause, a compliant operator notifies the Housing Inspector and takes steps to resolve the conditions that led to the discontinuance. Allowing a dwelling to remain occupied after a non-temporary service cutoff—without Housing Inspector approval—falls outside what this section permits.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 162-9 recognizes that essential utilities like gas and electricity are fundamental to the health, safety, and welfare of dwelling occupants in Suffern. If a service is discontinued for cause and a landlord fails to address it, tenants may contact the Suffern Housing Inspector, who is required under this provision to take immediate steps toward correction. Tenants facing this situation may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand the full range of options available to them.
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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