Local regulations on landlords/heat?

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Author Message   Starletta8 Citizen Username: Starletta8 Post Number: 26 Registered: 10-2004 Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 11:25 am:        Are there any local regulations regarding landlords providing heat to their tenants? I know that NYC has regulations, but I'm not familiar with NJ rules. Technically, I have heat. The landlord (who has control over the thermostat from an office not in the building) refuses to turn it up to raise the temperature in the building to (or above, preferably) 60 degrees. Is there anything that I can do or am I SOL? Thanks   Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 1417 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 11:33 am:        Heat requirements. If your lease requires the landlord to provide heat, the landlord must give you the amount of heat required by the state codes and the local town or city ordinance. Under the state housing codes, from October 1 to May 1, the landlord must provide enough heat so that the temperature in the apartment is at least 68 degrees from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., the temperature in the apartment must be at least 65 degrees. Cite: N.J.A.C. 5:10-14 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 5:28-1.12(m). Local health codes cover parts of the year not covered by housing codes. The housing inspector or board of health in your town enforces the heat requirements in the state and local codes. Larger cities have special no-heat hotlines that are set up especially to handle complaints. The inspector can file a complaint in court on your behalf, or you can file your own complaint. The landlord must then appear in court and explain why he or she is not providing heat. The court can impose stiff penalties, including fines or jail sentences. http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/placeilive/rent/tenantsrights.cfm   Starletta8 Citizen Username: Starletta8 Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2004 Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 11:43 am:        Thanks, Brett! I will surely put this information to good use. While I'm just cold, there are older people (as well as babies) who live in this building. It's just not safe for them.