Tenant Rights
I am a rent stabilized tenant of 25 years. The elderly landlord’s sons have taken over management of the bldg and are trying to make our life aggravating in every possible way. Is there some reference setting out my rights as a tenant? Can I for instance replace, at my own expense, worn out decrepit…
I am a rent stabilized tenant of 25 years. The elderly landlord’s sons have taken over management of the bldg and are trying to make our life aggravating in every possible way. Is there some reference setting out my rights as a tenant? Can I for instance replace, at my own expense, worn out decrepit open shelving, or repaint a floor that we painted many times with landlord’s consent but is now badly distressed? What behavior on their part becomes harassment? I’d like to give them some of their own attitude back but want to know the legal limits. Thanks.
Housing Court has jurisdiction over certain things such as appliances, vermin control elevator mirrors etc. No where does the law address painting of the floor or replacing shelves. LL’s suit wold be dismissed if he tried to sue for eviction on those grounds. No jurisdiction. If they are real assholes they could imply you made the apartment worse than it was before and try to keep security. Simple before and after pictures would indicate otherwise.I’d not lose any sleep over doing this.
if you live in the apartment for 25 years it must have lead paint somewhere. Legally landlord must repair any peeling lead paint within a week. So if you are on war path with your landlord, you always can refer to a few multi-million cases related to the lead paint.
1) Decide whether you’re more interested in repairs or in attitude. 2) Re-read your lease. 3) If their parents are elderly and/or ill, it’s entirely likely that the sons are experiencing their own form of stress, and also possible that they’re entirely inexperienced being landlords. You can help educate them regarding a better way to interact with tenants and fulfill their obligations. Either way, your rights as a tenant (stabilized or not) are protected by law:
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/bureaus/real_estate_finance/pdfs/tenants_rights_guide.pdf
http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/housing/pdfs/tenantsguide.pdf
http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/housing/resourcecenter.shtml
http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/Forms/Rent/ralr1.pdf
Well I doubt a lawer will ever tell you to do something wrong, but for startes it is a renters market and don’t get stressed let your owner be stressed. They probably need more money and are looking to sqeeze more money out of you. You live your life and let him eat his heart out. The greedy will pay for their sins!