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broken refrigerator

Rights for non-regulated tenants

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broken refrigerator

Postby ikeg » Sun Jun 02, 2002 12:54 pm

6 years ago we moved in a private house by renting second floor of it. At a time there was a refrigerator (old and crappy). So, it has broken down more than 3 months ago. Our LL has refused all our complains about it and declined either to reimburse our expenses to buy the new one, or to provide us with any working fridge.
What can we supposedly do on a base of existing legal regulation(s) to gain back such a "vitality"?
ikeg
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jun 02, 2002 1:01 am
Location: Brooklyn

Re: broken refrigerator

Postby Brooklyn Babe » Sun Jun 02, 2002 2:30 pm

To my knowledge, a fridge does not have to be supplied in a private house (under 4 units). Your post did not specify. If your lease does not specify that the LL is providing a fridge, then it may be tricky.
You must prove you had a verbal contract (which you do), as a fridge was provided upon you taking possession, and a broken one is a decrease in services. Your option would be to withhold the price of the fridge from your rent (be sure to make a memo of it on the cheque). Read:
http://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook/repairs.htm (applies to Cali, but is very informative).
My concern for you is that, after 6 yrs of tenancy, you may only be a "month to month" tenant, unless you have a current lease. If you are monthly tenant, then all LL has to do is give you 30 days notice to move.
Another solution is to simply buy a refurbished or a used fridge for under $150.00. Check www.lootusa.com or www.craigslist.org, you should score 1 for $100.00...
Best of Luck!
The above information is from a non-attorney tenant activist and is not considered or to be used as legal advice.
Brooklyn Babe
 
Posts: 130
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2002 1:01 am

Re: broken refrigerator

Postby Brooklyn Babe » Sun Jun 02, 2002 3:36 pm

A little more info.:

Tenants Rights-Office of Atty. Gen. Eliot Spitzer
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/realestate/habitability.html
LANDLORDS' DUTY OF REPAIR

Landlords of buildings with three or more apartments must keep the apartments and the buildings' public areas in "good repair" and clean and free of vermin, garbage or other offensive material. Landlords are required to maintain electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating systems and appliances landlords install, such as refrigerators and stoves in good and safe working order. Tenants should bring complaints to the attention of their local housing officials. (Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL) §78 and §80; Multiple Residence Law (MRL) §174. The MDL applies to cities with a population of 325,000 or more and the MRL applies to cities with less than 325,000 and to all towns and villages.)
The above information is from a non-attorney tenant activist and is not considered or to be used as legal advice.
Brooklyn Babe
 
Posts: 130
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2002 1:01 am


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