3 tenant rights you might not have known you had

If you are a tenant in the Big Apple, there are several rights that you have. These rights can vary from city to city and state to state, so it’s up to the tenant to know his or her rights and the responsibilities of the landlord. Below, you will find three rights that you have as a tenant:

— Warranty of habitability: This is a lease provision that states the landlord is responsible for keeping your rental habitable. This means that issues with hot water, rodents, repairs, plumbing and more are the responsibility of the landlord. Should you landlord refuse to take care of such a problem, he or she is breaching that warranty. You may be able to take your landlord to small claims court.

— Security deposit: A landlord in New York City must deposit security deposits into an account that ensures he or she cannot spend the money. Think of it as your trust fund when you move out. The landlord only has 45 days to return the deposit to you, minus any damage costs. If that does not happen, you could be eligible to get the full deposit plus interest through court.

— Using non-emergency city services: The New York non-emergency government information service can be found by dialing 311. This is not only where you can report a noisy neighbor, but it’s also where you can report a landlord that isn’t responding to your requests. Plumbing and heating problems are dealt with by a government official who will act as a mediator between you and your landlord.

Renting from a landlord that doesn’t abide by the law can make for an unpleasant home. If you are not able to get your problem addressed, an attorney may be able to help.

Source: Bustle, “9 Tenant Rights Every Young Adult Should Know To Protect Yourself,” Kaitlyn Wylde, Oct. 27, 2016