electrical switch in bathroom
the rent control tenants have a bathroom with a light switch above the tub, There is no shower. It is the ground plan from the 1920 renovation. this is the way we inherited the building. tHE PAST LL tried to renovate the bathrooms but they refused because the rents would go up. What are my…
the rent control tenants have a bathroom with a light switch above the tub, There is no shower. It is the ground plan from the 1920 renovation. this is the way we inherited the building. tHE PAST LL tried to renovate the bathrooms but they refused because the rents would go up. What are my rights and obligations.
meme2,
I thought you could force renovations on your tenant but it doesn’t look like you can:
http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/dhcr/dhcr12.html
thanks mopar! a clear answer. if i fix a wall they can not do anything to damage the wall right? otherwise they are liable for the cost of the repairs. right?
It sounds like you’re not obligated to do anything except comply with the city landlord rule of providing heat, hot water, and so forth.
Only if you were renovating would you be required to meet modern code. Old stuff is grandfathered in. You can also change out fixtures (sink, bath, toilet) without making other changes, as long as you don’t move anything.
Bob thanks, the bathroom light is a regular light switch. which should be fine if they do not do cannon balls getting in or out of the tub. I explained to them if I replaced the bath tub to a modern shower stall I could raise their rent. They don’t want a raise they barely make the rent on time. Flat out they refused. The prior LL tried to convince them of renovating their bathrooms (due to plumbing problems ) they refused. The bathroom was put into a tiny space in the hall in 1920 it is tiny. It is what was there when the tenants moved in in the 50’s. So what am i obligated to do?
My answer was a rather poor attempt at a joke, I’m afraid. I apologize if you, or anyone else thought it was in poor taste.I don’t know if you have to change the switch, which seems like it might be dangerous. Based on your earlier statement , I wonder if your tenant would allow a change or, if he/she refuses an upgrade, if that would relieve you of any possible liability. Answers from both electricians and lawyers would be helpful, if either cares to chime in.
If the switch in question is a pull chain, there used to be chains available with a fiberboard segment that provided a degree of protection from electric shock. I bought some of these years ago at at Alexanders hardware store, on Reade Street, which specialized in new old stock. That store is now gone and I don’t know where, or if, you can get these today. In any case, I doubt that these “safety” pull chains would meet modern code.
bob clarify please my question is if the light switch the lack of outlets are in from 1920 and nothing is wrong with them do I have to change them???
If you do nothing the problems with this tenant you complained about in your posts before and after this one might never recur 🙂