N.Y. Laws » CHAPTER Multiple Dwelling / ARTICLE Introductory Provisions; Definitions
New York Consolidated Laws

N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law § 2 (2026)

Legislative finding

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 2. Legislative finding. It is hereby declared that intensive
occupation of multiple dwelling sites, overcrowding of multiple dwelling
rooms, inadequate provision for light and air, and insufficient
protection against the defective provision for escape from fire, and
improper sanitation of multiple dwellings in certain areas of the state
are a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare, and reasonable
comfort of the citizens of the state; and that the establishment and
maintenance of proper housing standards requiring sufficient light, air,
sanitation and protection from fire hazards are essential to the public
welfare.  Therefore the provisions hereinafter prescribed are enacted
and their necessity in the public interest is hereby declared as a
matter of legislative determination.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases, 1988–2016 · leading case: Caldwell v. Am. Package Co., 57 A.D.3d 15 (N.Y. App. Div. 2008).
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Caldwell v. Am. Package Co., 57 A.D.3d 15 (N.Y. App. Div. 2008). “The public policy intended to be served by Multiple Dwelling Law § 302 was explicitly identified by the Legislature when it declared in adopting the provision that “the establishment and maintenance of proper housing standards requiring sufficient light, air, sanitation and…”
D'Agostino v. Forty-Three East Equities Corp., 16 Misc. 3d 59 (N.Y. App. Term. 2007). “t mechanism where both the Housing Part of the Civil Court (CCA 110 [a]) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) (see NY City Charter § 1802 [1]; CCA 110 [c]) are charged with the responsibility of enforcing the broad public interest in…”
Equities v. Weiss, 149 Misc. 2d 628 (N.Y. App. Term. 1991). “The majority seeks to "harmoniously construe” Multiple Dwelling Law § 325 with § 302. Multiple Dwelling Law § 325 (2) specifically refers to a proceeding by a resident of an unregistered dwelling to recover back rent voluntarily paid and states that "he shall not thereafter have…”
Del Gigante v. Danilova, 188 Misc. 2d 240 (N.Y. City Civ. Ct. 2001). “” (Multiple Dwelling Law § 2.) Basements are often unsuitable for human habitation.”
Sima Realty L. L. C. v. Philips, 282 A.D.2d 394 (N.Y. App. Div. 2001). “*395 There is no merit to landlord’s contention that the occupants should be ejected because their residential use of premises that lack a residential certificate of occupancy is presumptively unsafe and in violation of public policy as declared in Multiple Dwelling Law § 2.…”
Dep't of Hous. Pres. & Dev. v. Metro. Avenue Corp., 148 Misc. 2d 956 (N.Y. City Civ. Ct. 1990). · cites it 2× “The Multiple Dwelling Law states that multiple dwellings with serious violations "are a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare, and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the state” (Multiple Dwelling Law §2). For that reason, "the establishment and maintenance of proper…”
Holder v. Williams, 188 Misc. 2d 73 (N.Y. City Civ. Ct. 2001). “” The Legislature enacted the Multiple Dwelling Law to promote the health and safety of residents of multiple dwell *78 ings (see, Multiple Dwelling Law § 2), not to fix the subject matter jurisdiction of this Court.”
Lacks v. City of New York, 156 Misc. 2d 749 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1992). “In promulgating the Multiple Dwelling Law the Legislature recognized that establishing and maintaining proper housing standards was essential to the health, safety, and public welfare (see, Multiple Dwelling Law § 2). Similarly, in passing the Housing Maintenance Code the City…”
Mannino v. Fielder, 165 Misc. 2d 605 (N.Y. City Civ. Ct. 1995). “21, 1992, at 35, col 2 [Civ Ct, Kings County]; Multiple Dwelling Law § 2.) The purpose of the Multiple Dwelling Law is to assure residential occupants of safe and sound construction of the homes in which they reside.”
Klupchak v. First East Vill. Assocs., 140 A.D.3d 8 (N.Y. App. Div. 2016). “n of multiple dwelling sites, overcrowding of multiple dwelling rooms, inadequate provision for light and air, and insufficient protection against the defective provision for escape from fire, and improper sanitation of multiple dwellings in certain areas of the state are a…”
459 West 43rd Street Corp. v. Corn, 139 Misc. 2d 856 (N.Y. City Civ. Ct. 1988). “The *858 purpose behind both the Multiple Dwelling Law and HMC is to establish minimum standards of protection for light and air, fire protection and sanitation (Multiple Dwelling Law § 2; HMC § 27-2002).”
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