Who’s Responsible for Maintenance and Repair in NYC Rentals?

When you sign a lease for a new apartment, it’s important to carefully read it over first. Your lease should outline your landlord’s maintenance and repair obligations. When something unexpected happens and you need assistance, you don’t want to find out that you have a landlord who is going to do their best to wriggle out of taking any responsibility. If your landlord really does their best to avoid making any needed repairs, then you may need a New York City residential lease dispute lawyer.

What Are a Landlord’s Maintenance and Repair Responsibilities?

In most cases, a landlord is going to be responsible for any maintenance and repair tasks that threaten the health and safety of tenants. They should be ready to address things like:

• Broken windows
• Electrical issues
• Plumbing problems
• Failing appliances
• Pest and vermin infestations
• Safety issues, like a broken elevator or front door lock

A landlord is not responsible for the tiny maintenance and repair jobs that are required around your apartment. They are not your caretaker. You can change lightbulbs, clean up after yourself, and take out your garbage. That’s not the kind of maintenance a landlord should be handling.

Can a Tenant Be Asked to Handle Maintenance and Repair Jobs?

In some cases, yes. This needs to be clearly outlined and explained in a lease though. If someone is particularly handy, they may be able to negotiate a small rent reduction or another perk in exchange for dealing with some maintenance and repair needs themselves. Maybe your landlord wants you to shovel the walk when it snows or help keep the entryway clean. That’s fine, but they need to actually tell you about it.

You cannot just suddenly be expected to perform major repairs or asked to do something that tenants have no business doing in a dwelling that they do not own. If you think that your landlord is violating the warranty of habitability or shirking their responsibilities, that should be addressed.

What Can I Do If My Landlord Doesn’t Make Requested Repairs?

When you do need repairs that would fall under the landlord’s responsibilities, they should handle them in a timely manner. When they do not respond to a complaint right away, you can try to contact them again. If there is still no response, then you may be able to withhold rent and make a complaint to the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development, or HPD. You could also talk to a lawyer about your options. No one should have to put up with a safety or health hazard in their home.

Talk to a Lawyer Today

If you believe that your landlord is not living up to their responsibilities as outlined in your lease, it’s time to talk to a lawyer. Contact Robert Rosenblatt & Associates to schedule an initial consultation with our team. We are ready to help you solve this dispute.