Question : Can a Landlord make major and dangerous repairs while tenats are living in the apartment?
my sister landlord is completely repairing and renovaiting the Electic wiring inthe bilding .
breaking walls inside the apartments holes open for days dust , devree, lead, and some asbestos everywhere (it its a very old building) her children can not breath (she has 3) is hot and they can not use the AC. or Kitchen. I let her live in my apartment for 4 days but when she cameback home the repairs are still on &even rats were coming out . she wants to go to a hotel because of the living conditions until they finish the repairs . and also wants a inspector to check the bilding because it its dangerous for other families with babies and children living there.

Please friends from Yahoo can you tell me if it is legal for the lanlord to make mayor repairs while the tenats are still living there.if people go to a hotel who paid for it. I call 311 they just said make a complaint and wait. she leaves in 11 54 ward ave , bronx NY . Can anyone help thank you
ny home inspector

Best answer:

Answer by bpsgirl123
It is very dangerous to be living in those conditions! If major electrical work is being done, you must move out. And asbestos can cause lung cancer, even if a little is breathed in. Not only that, but once in your lungs, there is no way to get it out! Please don’t continue to live there. She needs to contact a lawyer, the city should have a public assistance lawyer if you can not afford one on your own, or call one and ask, sometimes they will take cases pro bono (without fees). Please talk to a lawyer, and get out of that place! Go to your local newspaper/television station and see if you can get it on the news! Get out of that place, and do something! Your landlord is Wrong to let people live under those conditions. You can withhold rent too! Don’t pay for that. Put the money in an account to have once the repairs are finished. Have all that rent available, but do not give it to your landlord. Then when the repairs are finished, you should be able to deduct what you had to pay for other living arrangements during that time. If he threatens to take you to court, let him. Keep records of everything, bills, receipts of housing expenses during that time, take pictures of the place that is being worked on (please use a mask if you go in there though!). and be ready to fight for your rights! Good Luck.