How to Sue My Landlord for Unsafe Living Conditions Nyc

Your landlord owes you certain legal obligations and perhaps also under your lease. First of all, as a tenant, you are entitled to a habitable, safe and clean apartment. This is called the habitability guarantee. This right is implicit in your lease, even if your lease doesn`t really say so. In addition, your lease may not mean that you are waiving this right. If the court tries to declare that you are giving up your right to a habitable, safe and clean apartment, it will not apply that part of the lease. Under the HSTPA, the habitability guarantee has been supplemented by a repair obligation.  The common areas of your building are also covered by the habitability guarantee. You can sue your landlord for unsafe living conditions, but you need to be prepared for difficulties. These claims are evidence-based, and your definition of „uncertain“ may differ significantly from that of the courts.

Damages you could receive from a liability lawsuit if your landlord is held liable for your injuries could include: A lawyer can look at the details and decide if you have a case. Even though bad conditions may seem emotionally draining, they are not technically considered dangerous. Consultation with a lawyer can help determine the potential benefits of a lawsuit. Read the rest of the article to see what is considered a dangerous life circumstance and how to sue your landlord for negligence with DoNotPay. My landlord refuses to make repairs to my apartment. What can I do? A peeling patch of paint on stairs can be irritating, but it does not warrant immediate action by your landlord, nor can it be considered a dangerous state of life in court. These are problems that can cause physical or emotional distress and therefore qualify the property as insecurity. An HP lawsuit is a matter you file against your landlord if they don`t make repairs or provide services. They ask the court to order the landlord to make repairs or provide services. An HP lawsuit can only be brought by you or a group of tenants in your building.

It can be filed to correct infractions in your apartment or in the common areas of your building. Unsafe living conditions are a danger, and no tenant should suffer from a landlord`s negligence. It`s important to understand the difference between „frustrating“ and „insecure.“ Frustrations are almost always best dealt with outside of court, saving time and money. Peeling paint, worn carpets, etc. are frustrations and are rarely worth going to court. State laws differ as to what behavior is sufficient to justify a claim for emotional distress. A violation by an owner of the guarantee of habitability or the commitment of peaceful enjoyment may suffice, depending on the laws of your state. If you`re thinking about suing your landlord, it`s important to discuss this with a lawyer before taking any action. You will be able to assess the situation and determine if you can have a claim based on the requirements of your condition.

We recommend that you review these exact requirements to understand if your property is considered „unsafe“. Changing the locks on a resident`s apartment without giving them a key is a violation of the Unlawful Evictions Act (Administrative Code of New York § 26-521) if the landlord does not have an eviction order or if the resident: Serious injuries can seriously affect your quality of life and ability to earn a living, Not to mention hospital debt, which can occur quickly during treatment. While calling a lawyer may not be the first thing you think of, it`s an important step that could help you avoid bankruptcy of medical bills. In addition, a lawyer can help you hold your landlord accountable so that future tenants do not suffer the same fate. It`s peeling paint in my apartment and I have a child under 6. How do I know if there is lead paint and what should my landlord do? Hazardous living conditions can also vary depending on the impact they have on the tenant. For example, mold can be a frustration and a problem that you should solve with your landlord. But it can also trigger serious health problems in people with asthma. Injuries and health problems resulting from a dangerous building often entitle you to compensation. Homeowners also have requirements for lead paint, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, locks and window grilles. Landlords must protect you from reasonably foreseeable criminal harm. For example, if you are a victim of crime in your apartment and you can prove that criminals were able to enter your apartment because the landlord did not fix a broken lock on the main door, you may be able to get damage from your landlord.

Be sure to inform the owner in writing of any poor condition. Otherwise, the owner may claim that he was not aware of the poor conditions and therefore they have not been corrected. Once you have submitted your forms, you will need to notify your landlord. Find the steps to sue your landlord in the table below: Call 212-406-9288 to schedule your free, negligent consultation. Reid B. Wissner serves clients throughout New York City and will be happy to hear your case and see if you have grounds for a lawsuit. However, if the landlord has not responded in a timely and appropriate manner, there are still steps to consider before taking legal action. Keep in mind that your landlord will generally not be held responsible if you are injured in your apartment.

The exception is if the wrong repair order, faulty maintenance, or refusal to fix something you reported from the landlord directly caused your injuries. What are the rules for living in basements and cellars? Most states also include an implied commitment to peaceful enjoyment in all residential leases. „Silent enjoyment“ is a somewhat vague term that encompasses many different things, including a tenant`s right to live in privacy in their rented space without interference from the landlord. In some states, it covers even more than that, including a landlord`s insistence on calculating rent despite an ongoing breach of the habitability guarantee or even an attempt by a landlord to evict a tenant without first suing them. You can also try to do the necessary repairs yourself and then deduct the reasonable repair costs from your rental payment, but even that is risky. This should only be done after written notice to the landlord and a reasonable opportunity to carry out the repairs themselves. If you do, you must make sure to keep all receipts for these repairs. Also, be sure to take pictures of the bad conditions and keep them in a safe place on your computer or file. If the landlord`s actions are outrageous and conducted with the intent to cause you emotional harm, or if she is simply negligent but should have known that the neglect would cause emotional harm, you may be able to sue your landlord for emotional distress if you suffer from it, according to your state`s laws. Inform your landlord of your intention to take legal action, including details of the claim and your claim. According to state law, they must have a certain period of time within which they can react.