Landlord's obligation when renting a single family house (Victor, Rockland: appointed, apartment complex) - New York (NY) - City-Data Forum

sonno23 · 08-22-2011, 03:58 PM

Hi,

We just rented a single family home in Rockland Co. It turns out to have more issues than I realized. Where can I find what I can reasonably expect the landlord to do.

Or if anyone has thoughts on these things, I'd be happy to hear.

Here are a couple of things:

The front door can't be locked properly. It's a Victorian house w/ an original door and you can basically push it open unless you spend an hour, trial and error, getting the push up lock (to the top of the door) to match the vague hole it goes into. I've asked if he can fix it but haven't heard back.

There's a door to the basement that is broken around the edges. (it's actually mostly a very nice house). There are inches where there's no wood. They found mold in the basement which they're now waiting to test for again after doing some work to eradicate it. In the mean time, all the air which may not be so good finds it's way easily to the kitchen. When it gets colder, there won't be any way to keep the heat from escaping.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks!

new jersey mike · 08-23-2011, 06:53 AM

Were you aware of any of these issues before you moved in?
Did you discuss them with the landlord prior to signing the lease?
Did you have any of these things included in the lease as items that needed repair on the LL part?
Is there a CO? was one required by the town?

What do you feel your responsibilities are as a perspective tenant?
If you have a family what were your obligations to finding a good home?

Do you feel this is all one sided with responsibility on only the LL or are you entitled to an upgrade no that you have taken possession?

Besides asking our opinion(s) have you actively looked online at the NY Landlord - tenant rights info?

Just wondering..

sweetpea3829 · 08-23-2011, 07:52 AM

I would say the unlockable front door is definitely the responsibility of the landlord. You have a right to be able to reliably lock your door. He may be difficult regarding that issue because he probably has to replace the entire door and that's pretty costly.

The issue with the basement door...I don't know...I mean, if there's a safety concern than yes, he has to fix it. But if there's nothing about it that's "unsafe" than you may have to just seal the door in the winter.

sonno23 · 08-23-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new jersey mike

Were you aware of any of these issues before you moved in?
Did you discuss them with the landlord prior to signing the lease?
Did you have any of these things included in the lease as items that needed repair on the LL part?
Is there a CO? was one required by the town?

What do you feel your responsibilities are as a perspective tenant?
If you have a family what were your obligations to finding a good home?

Do you feel this is all one sided with responsibility on only the LL or are you entitled to an upgrade no that you have taken possession?

Besides asking our opinion(s) have you actively looked online at the NY Landlord - tenant rights info?

Just wondering..

wE found out about the mold right before moving in and he said he'd clean it up. I didn't see the door to the basement since it was open and we just walked through it.

I googled NY Landlord Tenant rights but it seemed to relate to apartments and I couldn't tell whether single family homes fell into that domain so I came here.

I expect a house to be in good working condition and I don't consider these things 'upgrades". I wanted to have some clarification about my expectations before I spoke to the landlord.

sonno23 · 08-23-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpea3829

I would say the unlockable front door is definitely the responsibility of the landlord. You have a right to be able to reliably lock your door. He may be difficult regarding that issue because he probably has to replace the entire door and that's pretty costly.

The issue with the basement door...I don't know...I mean, if there's a safety concern than yes, he has to fix it. But if there's nothing about it that's "unsafe" than you may have to just seal the door in the winter.

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.

sweetpea3829 · 08-23-2011, 04:30 PM

Generally, landlord tenant laws that apply to an apartment also apply to a rental home. There may be a few exceptions for laws and rules that relate to the operation of a large apartment complex type building, but in general, the laws are the same regardless of the type of house/apartment you are renting.

new jersey mike · 08-24-2011, 10:25 AM

As for the expectations of the landlord I think you already know, he will do as little as possible.

As per your front door who cares if it does not lock even if it did does the last tenant still have a key? I would pay 10 buck or so and replace the lock, and supply the landlord with a key.

You need to speak to him, he may do what you ask. Anonymously for now call the town and as if a coo is required each time a unit/home is rented out, if they say yes or no say ok.

If it was yes then ask the landlord if you can see the original. If he does not have one ask if he knew he was suppose to get one. Then tell him to make the appointment ASAP.

As for the door I see it as a grey area, if it was not noticed in an inspection or allowed to stay that way ask him to replace it. If he say no buy insulation.

Then let him know your disappointed and will most likely be leaving at the end of the lease but that is not formal yet..

new jersey mike · 08-24-2011, 11:33 AM

I decided to make a call myself about coo since I am a LL in NJ and no coo is required in the state of ny for residential apartment/home rentals.

sonno23 · 08-24-2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new jersey mike

As for the expectations of the landlord I think you already know, he will do as little as possible.

As per your front door who cares if it does not lock even if it did does the last tenant still have a key? I would pay 10 buck or so and replace the lock, and supply the landlord with a key.

You need to speak to him, he may do what you ask. Anonymously for now call the town and as if a coo is required each time a unit/home is rented out, if they say yes or no say ok.

If it was yes then ask the landlord if you can see the original. If he does not have one ask if he knew he was suppose to get one. Then tell him to make the appointment ASAP.

Then let him know your disappointed and will most likely be leaving at the end of the lease but that is not formal yet..

Ok I feel kind of dumb but I don't know what a coo is.

This is the first time they've rented their house so this is all new to them. He's said it's worked fine for over 100years but I've spoken to the people who did the cleaning and they couldn't get the lock to work either so I guess I'll have to push the matter.
i'm sure he's concerned about the integrity of the door so I"ll jsut have to find out what's available that will make it easy to lock.

i"ll just ask about the kitchen door and see how it goes. I"m not very good at these things but when it's safety, I've got to step up.

Thanks for your thoughts and please tell me what coo means!

sonno23 · 08-24-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpea3829

Generally, landlord tenant laws that apply to an apartment also apply to a rental home. There may be a few exceptions for laws and rules that relate to the operation of a large apartment complex type building, but in general, the laws are the same regardless of the type of house/apartment you are renting.

sweatpea, that does simplify things. Thanks!