HOUSING MAINTENANCE CODE
CHAPTER 2

SUBCHAPTER 5
LEGAL REMEDIES AND ENFORCEMENT

ARTICLE 4
Injunctive Relief

Section
27-2120 Injunctions, Mandatory and Prohibitory
27-2121 Injunctive Relief in Other Actions, Powers of the Court
27-2122 Preliminary Injunctions
27-2123 Court Order of Access to Inspect Premises
27-2124 Failure to Comply with Judicial Order


Sec. 27-2120 Injunctions, Mandatory and Prohibitory

The department may institute an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for an order requiring the owner of property or other responsible person to abate or correct any violation of this code or to comply with an order or notice of the department or for such other relief as may be appropriate to secure continuing compliance with this code. An action for injunctive relief hereunder may be brought in addition to other sanctions and remedies for violations of the code or may be joined with any action for such other sanctions and remedies except criminal prosecution.

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Sec. 27-2121 Injunctive Relief in Other Actions, Powers of the Court

In any action or proceeding brought in the housing part of the New York City Civil Court the court, on motion of any party or on its own motion, may issue such preliminary, temporary or final orders requiring the owner of property or other responsible person to abate or correct violations of this code or to comply with an order or notice of the department or to take such other steps as the court may deem necessary to assure continuing compliance with the requirements of this code, including direction of correction of violations of this code by a contractor, material man or municipal department and payment of rent or release of funds deposited with the court in an appropriate amount to

(i) such contractor or material man upon the proper presentation of bills for the correction of such conditions or
(ii) such municipal department.

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Sec. 27-2122 Preliminary Injunctions

Upon application by the department pursuant to section six thousand three hundred eleven of the Civil Practice Law and Rules supported by affidavit setting forth the facts showing the reasons therefor, a court of competent jurisdiction or any judge of such court may issue a preliminary order to correct or abate violations of this code or to comply with an order or notice of the department, as the court may deem necessary to protect the health and safety of the occupants of a building until the entry of a final judgment or order.

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Sec. 27-2123 Court Order of Access to Inspect Premises

a. A judge of any civil court of competent jurisdiction may, upon appropriate application by the department supported by an affidavit or affirmation, issue an order directing that access be provided to an officer or inspector of the department to any premises or part thereof, whenever an inspection of any premises or part thereof is required or authorized by any state or local law or regulation or entry to such area is necessary for correction of a condition violating such law or regulation.

b. If the application is found appropriate, the court may issue an order to show cause, why the order of access should not be issued. If the respondent cannot with due diligence be served personally within the time fixed in such order, service may be made on such person by posting a copy thereof in a conspicuous place in the premises, to which access is sought and by sending a copy thereof by certified mail, return receipt requested to such person at his or her last known address.

c. The court shall set in the order of access specific dates and times for access.

d. The person, officer or inspector gaining access shall, before entry, give notice of his or her authority and purpose to any occupant of the premises and show such occupant the order or a copy thereof upon request.

e. Notwithstanding any other provision contained in section 27-2118 of article three of this subchapter, a person, who after service of a certified copy of the order upon such person does not provide access or refuses to allow access to the person authorized to enter, may be found guilty of contempt of court and may be required to pay a fine of a maximum of two hundred fifty dollars for wilfully failing to provide or refusing to allow access. Service of the order shall be as the court directs or by personal service, but if such cannot be made with due diligence within five days, service may be made by posting a copy of the order in a conspicuous place in the premises, which is the subject of the order and by sending a copy thereof by certified mail, return receipt requested to such person at his or her last known address. Such person shall not be in contempt of court or be required to pay a fine, if he or she establishes good and sufficient reason for a failure to be present, when access was demanded.

f. Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize an officer or inspector of the department to enter any premises or part thereof, if a person, to whom an order is directed, does not provide or refuses access.

g. Nothing herein shall affect the validity of inspections authorized and conducted under any other provision of law, rule or regulation without the issuance of an inspection warrant as provided in this article.

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Sec. 27-2124 Failure to comply with judicial order

A person, who fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to this article by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a judge of such a court, shall be punished in accordance with section 5104 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules and article 19 of the Judiciary Law.

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