what would you do...for renters

So, DH and I have been without heat in our apartment since last Thursday And there are no signs of a resolution coming anytime soon.

We rent the 1st floor of a two family home. The owners are elderly and have been placed in a nursing facility. I grew up next door so they were like the neighborhood grandparents. Their niece who lives in Maryland is their executor or whatever its called (the person in charge of their affairs). She comes and stays at their apartment once every few months for a couple of days to clean out their apartment etc because I think they want to rent it out. We deposit our rent into her bank account.

So...we've informed her of the situation and she said that someone would be over this past Saturday or at least in touch to resolve or see what's going on. We haven't heard anything. It's friggin cold!! We have space heaters but this is absolutely crazy to me.

I feel that she does not want the responsibilty of taking care of her relatives estate...ok..but fix my heat and deal with your other issues on your own. I'm calling her today to complain again and I'm refusing to deposit this months rent until it's fixed. It's below freezing at night..and at times during the day!

What other steps could I take if it's not resolved soon or I feel she isn't too concerned? 311? I'm writing a letter as well and mailing it so there's a written record as well...

any thoughts?

Re: what would you do...for renters

i would call 311

Re: what would you do...for renters

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Posted by little j

i would call 311

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Do you know what the possible outcomes could be from calling 311? Do they just file a complaint in case you need it in the future (let's say a lawsuit or something?) or do they take action?

I don't want to cause the actual landlords any problems because they don't know whats going on and really have no control due to the state of their health. I'm hoping that she'd have to bear the responsibilty because she's the executor or whatever.

Yeah...I'm gonna call and inquire. I wish there was a 'How to fix furnaces for renter with deadbeat substitue landlords'

Thanks

Re: what would you do...for renters

called 311 and was told that I could file a complaint but that the first step is to make a reasonable attempt to contact the landlord first.

I'm going to call her again this evening...if someone doesn't come by tomorrow I'm snitching to 311. Thursday will make 1 whole week!! smh

Re: what would you do...for renters

I would call her again- If that does not work I would have the heat fixed and take it out of the rent. You should check NYC.gov it expains your rights as a renter.

Re: what would you do...for renters

you should be given back those days worth of the rent because living with heat in this weather is UNLIVABLE conditions.

Just saying.

Re: what would you do...for renters

I'M HOTTTT! (And not in terms of heat in my house!) I just spoke to her and she was trying to find every way of suggesting that it's something that DH and I did and I shouldn't be holding the rent becvause thats what they used to pay for the heat....um there is no heat so i don't give a d@mn what you've gotta pay!!! She's definitely a bish but she's about to find out that I'm a much bigger one!!! How dare she!?!?!?!

Then she asks if my uncle is available (he's a plumber and has looked at the boiler in the past).....ummm...no, hes working..how about you get it together. You are NOT geting your rent until this is resolved and if no one is by here by tomorrow I'm making an official complaint.

Play around and I won't pay rent for the rest of the winter! I hear it's hard to get tenants out. I don't wanna be like that, but her attitude and questioning was uncalled for...

She's so lucky this wasn't a face to face convo because I would be on my way to the precinct.