Consumption and Real Estate
Do I have any rights as a tenant with a broken refrigerator?
Question : Do I have any rights as a tenant with a broken refrigerator?
Our refrigerator stopped working 2 nights ago, at no fault of ours or the LL’s….it just stopped working. Our LL asked if we could do a couple of things, like unplug it to let it defrost and clean out the vents….which we did.
Today she said she was going to buy a new one (which is nice of her), but it is not going to be here for 6 more days.
We had to throw away about $ 80-$ 100 worth of food and now have the inconvenience of no refrigerator until next week.
I asked if she would split the cost of buying a small mini fridge for us until the new one arrived. We have a 5 y.o. boy and we need to keep some basic stuff cooled (not medicine). She refused.
We do not have renters insurance and live in NY (not NYC).
Do we have any rights as far as reimbursement, lower rent, etc…?
renters insurance ny
Best answer:
Answer by Joel
No.
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#2 written by AJ 1 year ago
The only claim you may make is if you prove that 8 days to get the problem solved is unreasonably long and the landlord benefited by artificially causing the delay. Even then it’s a long shot. If you file a small claim in court, a judge understands, just as you should, that things like this happen and, well, it’s life.
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#3 written by Peter 1 year ago
I had a tenant fridge break a few months ago and I cut them some slack on rent for lost food, but getting them a temp fridge would have been crazy. I don’t see how it can take so long to buy a fridge with a Home Depot in every town.
You may have recourse with the local code enforcement officer so check there.
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#6 written by Angie 1 year ago
No. Unless your lease specifically says that a refrigerator will be provided, then maybe you have a case for small claims court, but you’re going to have to prove that you lost money. An interesting note, in general, while a landlord has to provide a stove, a refrigerator is not a rental requirement – I never understood that one.
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No, she does need to pay for anything.
Just use your ice chest, the same one you use for picnics, car trips, etc.