Can a Landlord make major and dangerous repairs while tenats are living in the apartment?

Question

my sister landlord is completely repairing and renovaiting the Electic wiring inthe bilding .
breaking walls inside the apartments holes open for days dust , devree, lead, and some asbestos everywhere (it its a very old building) her children can not breath (she has 3) is hot and they can not use the AC. or Kitchen. I let her live in my apartment for 4 days but when she cameback home the repairs are still on &even rats were coming out . she wants to go to a hotel because of the living conditions until they finish the repairs . and also wants a inspector to check the bilding because it its dangerous for other families with babies and children living there.

Please friends from Yahoo can you tell me if it is legal for the lanlord to make mayor repairs while the tenats are still living there.if people go to a hotel who paid for it. I call 311 they just said make a complaint and wait. she leaves in 11 54 ward ave , bronx NY . Can anyone help thank you

Answer 1

What would she be doing if she owned the building herself and was making repairs would she stay there or would she move out. I don't mean for this to sound mean but it is his building and he can do repairs while your sister still lives there. It's at her own expense if she decides to go to a hotel.Tell your sister to be careful because if she make to much of a fuss the landlord might raise her rent after the repairs are done. He is spending a lot of money and for what maybe to sell the building.

Answer 2

Was notice given before all this work started ? The work that is being done, is it at the request of your sister ? Any time there is remodeling and it is known to have asbestos any place, it has to be removed first by someone that is has the equipment and licensed do so in Calif. There has to be another place for your sister to move to and avoid all the problems you listed. If your sister can't or doesn't want to move, open the phone book to city offices and find the right department to help her asap.

Answer 3

Me, I would call every TV station and radio station in NYC and talk to their Consumer Affairs department...like "7 On Your Side" in some cities...and I'd pitch-a-*****, ESPECIALLY about the asbestos. I would also call the Legal Aid Society and the City Attorney's office. The sooner you start and the louder and longer you yell, the better chance you'll have of resolving it. Hey, call the Environmental Protection Agency, too, because of the asbestos, 'debris' and dust, Call every newspaper, too...Post, Times, Daily News, WWD...all of them. You belong to a church/mosque/temple ? Talk to your priest/preacher/imam/rabbi about it,,,,,they know a member of the congregation who can help...and prayer is good, too, coming from God's servants Remember: the noisy wheel gets the oil (=attention)! Being NYC, given its size, etc., this will not be easy...but you like a challenge, right? Give 'em hell, sis.

Answer 4

Yes I believe he can do this because he owns the building.For example I once lived in an apartment in the bronx and they just came in and started remodeling the kitchen and painting the bathroom so I do think It can be done.

Answer 5

CALL CITY HOUSING AUTHORITYHE MAY BE ABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS BUT IF THE APT IS UNINHABITAL HE MAY BE REQUIRED TO PUT THE TENANT UP AT A SUITABLE HOTEL UNTIL HE IS DONE

Answer 6

Have her contact your local heath department and the housing code enforcement ASAP

Answer 7

You Need a Lawyer!!!