Q: my landlord is avoiding my notice, can I withhold rent next month for not having a smoke detector?
I sent a notice saying please reply when the installation can be made but he hasn’t even seen it yet. Do I have to wait until he sees it or can I start withholding rent or take other action so he doesn’t keep ignoring me? He has been avoiding me for almost a month now.
A:
Ordinarily a dwelling is required to be set up in New York State with operating smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Withholding rent without your own attorney advice is a risky strategy. But calling local code enforcement and arranging for an inspection should provide the notice of housing code violations to get your landord to.
pay attention.
Something that the landlord has been given by State Law is the right to deny a new lease when the current lease ends.
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