Does my landlord have to provide adequate wiring for me to use my air conditioner.?

Question

I am a NYC resident and recently there was a fire where the fuse box is. the fire dept and housing inspectors came and concluded it was faulty wiring. Also the basement, where the fuse box is had 2 illegally converted apts. They do not have their own meters and I fear they might be tapping into my apt. Does the landlord have to provide electricity for me to have an AC?

Answer 1

such a pretty kettle of fish ...

you'll have to find someone who actually knows NY and NYC tenant law. You might even have to pay for that.

And, ...

if the landlord didn't/doesn't supply the A/C I strongly suspect he doesn't have to provide wiring adequate to run it, but only ordinarily adequate wiring given the age of the building and code at the time of the last electrical remodeling. If that is 15 amp circuits ... it is 15 amp circuits.

as to those apts in the basement ... i believe you have the right to ask Con Ed [I assume, correct?] to inspect the wiring up to the fuse box [their side] for illegal attachments. If they find any, they will remove them free. If you're there when they do so, you might ask the Con Ed guy where it looks to him like those basement apts are getting their power -- this'll be 'helpful' since he'll know what to look for and maybe he'll just help you out by telling you if they're on your meter.

Otherwise, landlord is near certain sure to claim they aren't on your meter and defy you to prove they are -- which would require you to hire an electrician to either prove or disprove.

Of course, if landlord has tapped your meter for others benefit, you likely have a winnable lawsuit against him, AND you'll probably best have somewhere else to move to 'cause he surely won't want you there any longer.

:\

Answer 2

I cant really be precise about this as I live in Australia. However you will need to have a look at your rental or tenancy agreement.

Against you is a clause that is USUALLY found in all rental agreements which will state something like" the landlord does NOT guarantee that the premises are fit for any particular purpose". That usually gets the landlord out of trouble.

In your favour is a factual situation that the electrical connections are no longer in the same state as when you first signed the agreement. The implication is that when you inspected the apartment, the landlord asserted, and you concurred, that the electrics were in a state that was acceptable. Clearly they no longer are.

The question of the AC is different though. If you did not have one at the beginning and you are introducing one later, I do not believe that the landlord needs to guarantee you the use of an AC. However, legally, it is also not reasonable for him to deny that use.

In the first instance you should write to the landlord directly. If that doesnt work, write to the managing agents. Finally resort to arbitration if there is such a system. Try and avoid going to Court though.

And good luck!

So, in essence this is a legal question.

Answer 3

the answer would be No!, however in a state of extreme heat where the temperature is a part of the livability or the tenancy, I would think that would be...when in Rome...!
If you have other issues with the LL as to their legitimacy of the boxes for each individual apt, then the LL is in violation of the normal Landlord Tenant laws of the state.
It is also a crime to steal utilities from one tenant and give to another without first having a signed agreement with the tenants that this is taking place.
However, if the LL is not charging the tenant for the utilities, He can do anything he wishes with the direction of the utilities travel and not be held liable for the use by the tenant.
additionally, you still cannot make the LL install A/C 220 power for your unit if you first have not created this issue of installation at onset of the rental agreement.

Answer 4

State regulation does not require the owner to grant an AC, nor does state regulation assist you apply your individual AC without past written permission from the owner. you are able to desire to study your hire to verify if AC is an amenity and as a result grant via the owner.

Answer 5

Yes they do. Electricty is an essential part to make your place liveable. Since you dont have electricity it is deemed as an unliveable situation and you could report them if you would like. Check with your state BAR Association to see what the process is for this.