City of Rochester, NY Chapter 95 Residential Landlord-Tenant Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Rochester City Council 5-23-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-173.[1][2] Amendments noted where applicable.]

[1] Editor's Note: Former Ch. 95, Sales, adopted 2-14-1961, as amended, was repealed 1-27-1981 by Ord. No. 81-32.

[2] Editor's Note: Sections 2 and 3 of this ordinance provided as follows:

"Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect on August 1, 2023, and the first annual mailing of the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities to landlords and tenants shall occur no later than January 5, 2024.

"Section 3. The City Administration will present the Landlord-Tenant Bill of Rights to City Council for review each July - reflecting any changes or modifications which occurred over the prior twelve months."

§ 95-1 Purpose.

The Council and Administration hereby find that educating residential landlords and tenants of their respective rights and responsibilities is an essential step to address pressing housing concerns in the City of Rochester.

§ 95-2 Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.

The Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development, in consultation with the Corporation Counsel, shall compose a clear and concise document entitled "Landlord-Tenant Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (Bill of Rights and Responsibilities)," which shall spell out significant rights and responsibilities of both the landlords and tenants of residential rental properties in the City. The Bill of Rights and Responsibilities shall be derived from those sources of law and policy that the Commissioner determines to be pertinent, including but not limited to federal, state, and City statutes, charter, codes, ordinances, regulations, and policies. The Commissioner and the Corporation Counsel shall revise the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities as they deem appropriate to:

A. Reflect changes to relevant laws and policies; or

B. Address new or previously unforeseen issues that are identified during the City's implementation of its code enforcement, nuisance prevention, affordable housing, human rights, zoning, health and sanitation, and other functions relevant to rental housing.

§ 95-3 Distribution.

The Commissioner shall ensure that copies of the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities are distributed to landlords and tenants on a regular basis as follows:

A. To the tenants of every known residential rental property by mail once per year to the best of the City's ability;

B. To the landlord of every known residential rental property by mail once per year addressed to:

(1) The owner of record on the City's real property tax records; and

(2) The local property maintenance person identified in lieu of a principal, partner or owner residing in the Rochester region on the building owner's registry pursuant to § 90-20 of the City's Property Conservation Code;

C. Attached to every certificate of occupancy that is issued to a landlord or tenant; and

D. In other circumstances where code enforcement officers interact with landlords and tenants.