Cal. Civ. Code § 797-B
Respondent
Operative Text
§ 797-b. Respondent. The following may be named as a respondent: 1. The person, corporation, limited liability company, general partnership, limited partnership, or any other entity holding title to the real property or an ownership interest in the property. 2. The person or organization listed on any state or local residential registration statement. 3. Anyone who has a legal obligation to maintain the premises consistent with the warranty of habitability: owner or owners of the freehold of the premises or lesser estate therein, mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, agent, or any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of a dwelling, but not a receiver appointed pursuant to section three hundred nine of the multiple dwelling law. 4. A public housing authority or a governmental body that owns or manages the property.
N.Y. Real Prop. Acts & Proc. Law § 797-B defines who may be named as a respondent in a housing proceeding by casting a wide net across virtually every type of party with a connection to residential property. Eligible respondents include title holders, entities listed on state or local registration statements, anyone bearing a legal duty to maintain the premises under the warranty of habitability—such as mortgagees in possession, receivers, trustees, lessees, and agents—and even public housing authorities or government bodies that own or manage the property. One notable carve-out under § 797-B is that a receiver appointed under § 309 of the Multiple Dwelling Law cannot be named as a respondent.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 797-B, property owners, managers, and agents should be aware that the statute's definition of 'respondent' extends well beyond the deed holder to include entities listed on registration statements and anyone exercising control over a dwelling. Operators who delegate management responsibilities—such as through a management company or an assigned rent collector—should understand that those parties may also be subject to proceedings under this provision. Maintaining accurate and current registration filings and clearly documenting the scope of any management or agency relationships are practices generally associated with compliant property operation under § 797-B.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 797-B gives tenants broad flexibility in identifying who to name in a housing proceeding, including not just the record owner but also landlords listed on registration statements, managing agents, lessees in control of a building, and even public housing authorities. If a tenant is uncertain who holds legal responsibility for maintaining their unit, this provision's expansive list of potential respondents may help clarify the range of parties that can be brought into a proceeding. Tenants seeking to understand how § 797-B applies to their situation can consult a local tenant-rights organization, a rent board if one exists in their jurisdiction, or review publicly available housing registration records.
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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