As a tenant, per state and local laws, you have the right to a livable dwelling. Part of what makes a dwelling livable is its being safe and secure. These are parameters that your landlord must ensure are in place. With that being said, continue reading to learn a landlord’s responsibility toward tenant safety and security and how an experienced New York City real estate lawyer at Zimmet Law Group, P.C. can step in if your rights are threatened.
What is a NY landlord’s duty for tenant safety and security?
Firstly, your landlord may be required to meet certain state and local security laws when installing certain safety fixtures in your living space. This warranty of habitability may be implied in your lease agreement. For example, your landlord must install locks on doors that allow outside access to your rental unit. Plus, they must install adequate lighting fixtures throughout the rooms of your rental unit and walkways on the property. Also, they must properly functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your rental unit and throughout the property.
Secondly, your landlord may be expected to uphold their duty to maintain your living space throughout your lease term. This may be following the Housing Stability and Protection Act of 2019. Namely, this may entail conducting regular inspections, identifying safety and security issues, and repairing them immediately. Then, if such an issue cannot be repaired immediately, this must be made clear in a written notification or posted signage directed toward their tenants. For example, your landlord may need to hire outside help to fix dilapidated steps and stairwells or malfunctioning elevators. This may take longer than a day to rectify, so in the meantime, the landlord should post caution signs and close off those areas from tenant use.
What should I do if I experience issues with my safety and security?
You may believe an underlying issue within your rental unit makes it unsafe and nonsecure. In this case, you may inform your landlord of this unsafe and nonsecure condition through a written notice. Hopefully, your landlord may go into action straight away. But if not, you may consider suing your landlord for violating the Housing Stability and Protection Act of 2019 by which you are protected.
More drastically, say that your unsafe and nonsecure living conditions caused you to be made the victim of a crime. Well, in this case, you may consider suing your landlord for making the property a public nuisance. That is, making it a threat to public safety and thereby inconveniencing your tenant rights.
In conclusion, there is far more to explain than this blog has only begun to cover. For more information, please get in touch with a skilled New York City real estate lawyer at Zimmet Law Group, P.C. We look forward to collaborating with you.
