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Are we as tenants entitled to anything if gas is turned off for prolonged period of time for repairs?
Anonymous6 views2 answers
Hi, we live in a building in upper Manhattan. A gas leak was discovered in the building and gas has been shut off for over A month now to enable repairs. The association office came and handed out small hot plates that actually don't really heat up enough to boil water let alone be deemed acceptable to cook meat poultry and other things that require a higher degree of heat to be deemed edable. My question is what are we entitled to as tenants? If I buy a better hot plate should they pay for it, or should I present them with my takeout receipts? It's been a real inconvenience that is costing me hundreds of dollars in unhealthy eating that could be avoided if this problem didn't exist and I had a proper working stove. I know they have insurance for this type of thing.
You are entitled to a habitable premises and quiet use and enjoyment of the premises.
You can stay and deduct from rent your expenses, or leave abd be relieved if your lease.
I would ask LL to put you at a hotel or elsewhere while the repairs are going on.
How much longer until the repairs are done ?' How much longer on your lease?
Dear New York City Tenant:
Although your experience and your neighbors have become very common since the gas explosion on Second Avenue, NYC has not adopted any rules at all relating to the landlord's obligations to provide a usable kitchen and an adequate supply of gas. Every group of tenants and individual tenants are forced to work out on their own how to deal with the standard landlord response -- an inadequate hot plate. There are no guarantees that you will be reimbursed for a more expensive hot plate or for your out-of-pocket expenses.
New York State law requires all landlords in residential settings to provide at all times a habitable home. Your home in not habitable but the Warranty of Habitability does not enforce itself. Taking a route to court without an attorney is not a good choice.
You and your neighbors should get in touch with your local elected member of the NYC City Council. If you are rent regulated tenants you may all file complaints for rent reductions at the DHCR. Your landlord is not providing essential building services. You and your neighbors may all band together and hire an attorney to assist you in recovering your damages and for enforcing your tenancy rights in the NYC Housing Court.
