Cal. Civ. Code § 174
Repairs and cleanliness
Operative Text
§ 174. Repairs and cleanliness. The owner shall keep all and every part of a dwelling and the lot on which it is situated in good repair, clean and free from vermin, rodents, dirt, filth, garbage or other thing or matter dangerous to life or health; but the tenant shall also be liable if a violation is caused by his own wilful act, assistance or negligence or that of any member of his family or household or his guests.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 174, the primary duty to keep a dwelling and its lot in good repair and free from hazards such as vermin, rodents, filth, and garbage falls on the property owner. However, the rule carves out an exception: when a violation results from the willful act, assistance, negligence, or conduct of the tenant, a household member, or a guest, the tenant can also bear responsibility for that condition. The provision essentially establishes a shared accountability framework, with the owner as the default responsible party.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners and managers operating under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 174 generally maintain documented inspection schedules, promptly address pest infestations, and ensure that common areas and individual units remain clean and structurally sound. Compliant operators also keep records of any tenant-caused damage or conditions, since the statute does allow liability to shift to a tenant when a violation stems from that tenant's own willful conduct or negligence. Maintaining clear communication channels and written notices when tenant behavior contributes to a hazardous condition is a practice consistent with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 174 gives tenants a basis to expect that their owner will maintain the dwelling and lot in a clean, safe, and vermin-free condition as a baseline obligation. If an owner fails to meet this standard, tenants may have grounds to raise the violation as a defense in housing court proceedings, file a complaint with a local housing or building code enforcement agency, or seek guidance from a tenant-rights organization familiar with New York's Multiple Residence Law. It is worth noting that the same provision holds tenants accountable when a hazardous condition is traceable to their own actions or those of their household members or guests.
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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.