ARTICLE X. - RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Warwick, RI.
The text
Sec. 26-291. - Generally.#
The provisions of this article shall pertain to the responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants of dwellings and their premises.
(Code 1971, § 10-201)
Sec. 26-292. - Maintenance of private space.#
Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall keep in a clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling, dwelling unit and dwelling premises thereof which he/she occupies and controls.
(Code 1971, § 10-202)
Sec. 26-293. - Maintenance of public space.#
Every owner of a multiple dwelling shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition the common areas of the dwelling and the premises thereof. Occupants of two- and three-family dwellings shall share the responsibility for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition the common areas of the dwelling and premises thereof.
(Code 1971, § 10-203)
Sec. 26-294. - Provision of garbage disposal facilities.#
Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall dispose of all his/her garbage and other organic waste which might provide food for rodents, in a clean and sanitary manner, by placing it in the garbage disposal facilities or garbage storage containers required by section 26-146. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to supply such facilities or containers for all dwelling units in a dwelling containing four or more dwelling units and for all dwelling units located on premises where four or more dwelling units share the same premises. In all other cases it shall be the responsibility of the occupant to furnish such facilities or containers.
(Code 1971, § 10-204)
Sec. 26-295. - Extermination of rodents and other pests.#
Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any rodents, vermin, or other pests therein or on the premises; and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit shall be responsible for such extermination whenever his/her dwelling unit is the only one infested; except that, whenever such infestation is caused by the failure of the owner to carry out the provisions of this chapter, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner.
(Code 1971, § 10-205)
Sec. 26-296. - Use of screens.#
Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall be responsible for the use of all screens whenever the same are required under the provisions of section 26-175. Said screens shall be supplied by the owner.
(Code 1971, § 10-206)
Sec. 26-297. - Maintenance of plumbing and equipment.#
Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall be responsible for the exercise of proper care and cleanliness in the use and operation of all plumbing fixtures, sanitary facilities, appliances and equipment therein.
(Code 1971, § 10-207)
Sec. 26-298. - Discontinuance of utilities or removal of required equipment.#
No owner, operator, or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment, or utility which is required to be supplied by the provisions of this chapter to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling or dwelling unit, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary when actual repairs or alterations are being expeditiously made, or during other temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by the enforcement officer.
(Code 1971, § 10-208)
Sec. 26-299. - Prerequisites for occupancy of vacant units.#
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or permit to be occupied by another, any vacant dwelling or dwelling unit unless or until it is in good repair, clean, sanitary, in habitable condition and in full compliance with all provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
(Code 1971, § 10-209)
Sec. 26-300. - Supplied heat.#
Every owner or operator of a dwelling who permits to be occupied any dwelling unit therein under an agreement, express or implied, to supply or furnish heat to the occupants thereof, shall maintain therein, from October 1 to May 1, a minimum air temperature level of not less than 67 degrees Fahrenheit at three feet above floor level during an outside air temperature of zero degrees Fahrenheit or above between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and not less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms and compartments and communicating corridors; provided that, when the outside air temperature drops below zero degrees Fahrenheit heating facilities shall be operated so as to furnish at least the minimum requirements hereof. Whenever heating facilities are incapable of furnishing the minimum requirements hereof at an outside air temperature of below zero degrees Fahrenheit, they shall be operated to full capacity. Whenever a dwelling is heated by means of a central heating facility, or other heating apparatus under the control of the owner or operator of the dwelling, such owner or operator, in the absence of a written contract or agreement to the contrary, shall be deemed to have contracted, undertaken, or bound himself/herself to furnish heat in accordance with the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply where the failure to maintain such an air temperature level is approved by the enforcement officer because of a general shortage of fuel, or is the result of any negligent or malicious act of the occupant, or while repairs are expeditiously made to the heating equipment, or where such failure results from any cause beyond the control of the owner or operator.
(Code 1971, § 10-210)