Rules for Repairs
Can someone please tell me the rules for repairs made in a rental apartment? I am a tenant and my landlord always has his brother-in-law making repairs. Generally, they are shoddy enough that repairs must be made to the repairs or are just coverups, instead of actually addressing the issue. What are the legalities in…
Can someone please tell me the rules for repairs made in a rental apartment? I am a tenant and my landlord always has his brother-in-law making repairs. Generally, they are shoddy enough that repairs must be made to the repairs or are just coverups, instead of actually addressing the issue.
What are the legalities in terms of having a licensed contractor? Does that stand for any and all repairs? For a certain type of repair?
As an example, in the last year, I’ve had windows replaced and a counter top replaced, both my the BIL. The windows were “finished” by nailing up salvageable pieces of wood and slats of a thin balsa-looking wood. Never painted. The counter top was placed on a known and visible rotting counter.
In considering signing a new lease, I want to require a licensed contractor for any and all repairs but want to make sure that I’m not ignoring anything.
Please advise.
Electrical repairs would be the only ones I would be most concerned about. They should be done by a licensed electrician.
Your landlord should also be doing the basic maintenance for your building, not you or the other tenants.
FYI – there are certain circumstances where rent stabilized apartments can be in a “4 family” building. The most common being if the building was ever part of a “garden type apartment complex.”
bkrules, you’re correct on that. Friends moved to LA about 3 years ago and they looked at at least 20 apartments and most were in luxury buildings. All provided stoves but none provided fridges (not even cheapo ones). Very odd.
i kept my shoes in my fridge in my first apartment in nyc.
it was one of those smallish fridges tho.
*rob*
Apparently, a lot of rental apartments in Los Angeles don’t have refrigerators. People who rent have to schlep their fridge from place to place. Totally insane.
I’ve considered telling him that I’ll sign the lease if I can handle repairs myself, taking the cost of supplies out of my rent. Not sure how he would respond to that but it can’t hurt to ask.
I have tried to discuss my problems with repairs in the past, including asking them to not show up unannounced and to schedule things with me, but with little change. However, with a new lease (and a good tenant in place), maybe he will finally listen to me.
The place is definitely not rent stabilized and I’m not sure where he got the amount of $1280. I live in PLG, on Lefferts Avenue.
Aldo Rossi was dead. These needn’t look like cheap rip-off of his more playful post-modern work. Why does low income rental property either look like childern’s toys or machine gun bunker’s? There are simple elegant solutions to restrained budgets.
if it is a 4-unit, then it is most likely not stabilized.
my suggestion is to either move and have a sane life or you can start calling 311 and complain about peeling paint (which maybe lead) and all the other issues. city inspector’s will come out and if needed, issue violations to the alndlord. and since your apt is not rent stabilized, the landlord does not need to give you a renewal lease….
save yourself the stress and move.
Incidentally, NYC is unique in requiring stove and fridges from landlords too. In most other parts of the country, you have to provide your own.
Posted by: Stonergut at March 2, 2010 10:45 AM
Not in SF, Chicago, Boston or Philly. Maybe Mobile, AL.
wow 1280 a month for a two bedroom is pretty cheap almost anywhere in brooklyn.. and youre saying this is in a good location? do you mind saying what neighborhood this is in? it sounds like you a have good deal. are you sure it’s not rent stabalized? 1280 is an odd amount.
*rob*