Cal. Civ. Code § 25
Application of article three
Operative Text
§ 25. Application of article three. The provisions of this article shall apply to all multiple dwellings existing on July first, nineteen hundred fifty-two, and shall also apply to dwellings converted to multiple dwelling occupancy on or after July first, nineteen hundred fifty-two, provided, however, that this article shall not apply to hotels and similar dwellings in any city, town or village with respect to which the provisions of article four are applicable. The provisions of this article shall apply in addition to and not in substitution for the provisions of article two. Provisions of this article shall be complied with on or before July first, nineteen hundred fifty-four.
N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 25 establishes the scope of Article Three of the Multiple Residence Law, extending its requirements to all multiple dwellings that existed as of July 1, 1952, as well as to any buildings converted to multiple-dwelling use on or after that date. Hotels and similar establishments located in cities, towns, or villages where Article Four applies are carved out from Article Three's coverage. Importantly, Article Three's requirements layer on top of Article Two's requirements rather than replacing them, meaning a covered building must satisfy both sets of standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 25, operators of multiple dwellings—whether the building predated July 1, 1952, or was later converted to multi-unit residential use—are generally expected to maintain compliance with Article Three's standards alongside, not instead of, Article Two's standards. Compliant operators typically audit their properties against both articles to ensure no requirement is overlooked simply because another article also addresses a similar subject. Owners of hotels or similar dwellings in jurisdictions governed by Article Four should confirm which article governs their specific property type, as § 25 expressly excludes such structures from Article Three's reach.
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 § 25 means that tenants living in buildings that qualify as multiple dwellings—whether built before July 1, 1952, or converted afterward—are entitled to the protections of Article Three in addition to those provided by Article Two. If a tenant believes their building is not being maintained in accordance with Article Three's standards, general enforcement paths include raising the violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, filing a complaint with the local housing or building department, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance. Tenants in hotels or similar dwellings should be aware that § 25 may exclude their building from Article Three, and consulting a tenant-rights resource can help clarify which article applies.
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.
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