New York Consolidated Laws, Multiple Dwelling Law - MDW § 288. Definitions

1. The term “community district” shall refer to a community district as established pursuant to chapter sixty-nine of the New York city charter.

2. The term “inhabited basement dwelling unit” means a basement unlawfully occupied as a residence by one or more tenants on or prior to the effective date of this article, provided that such inhabited basement dwelling unit is located in any of the community districts specified in subdivision four of section two hundred eighty-nine of this article;

3. The term “inhabited cellar dwelling unit” means a cellar unlawfully occupied as a residence by one or more tenants on or prior to the effective date of this article, provided that such inhabited cellar dwelling unit is located in any of the community districts specified in subdivision four of section two hundred eighty-nine of this article;

4. The term “rented” means leased, let, or hired out, with or without a written agreement;  and

5. The term “tenant” means an individual to whom an inhabited basement dwelling unit or an inhabited cellar dwelling unit is rented.