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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    1

    Default Cockroach And Heating Problems

    I recently rented an apartment in Jersey City NJ

    It became obvious fairly quickly after moving in there is a cockroach infestation and heating problem.

    The landlord supplies the heat and tenants have no control over it. My apartment is 90 degrees on a regular basis even when I have windows open and fans blowing. This has made sleeping nearly impossible. The landlord has promised several times someone would be out to fix the issue, but then nothing ever happens.

    I also have a cockroach infestation, which I find to be the worse problem. The landlord does have a monthly exterminator, but the 2 times he has come he sprayed for about 30 seconds and left, and the problem is not going away. My wife and I are very clean. We are taking all the right steps to minimize the problem with sprays, traps, gels, etc... so it is not us.
    Even with the exterminator and all the steps we are taking, the roach problem persists. We easily find and kill 15+ a day. 3 nights ago I went to brush my teeth and found a roach sitting on my tooth brush. Tonight I was woken up by one crawling on my face.

    I cant take this anymore and want to get out of my lease. I also want my security deposit back.

    I need advice on this issue. The landlord does not want to let me off easy. He has outright called me a liar about the cockroach issue and thinks I am making it up.

    I want to add one more thing.

    The landlord has a mailbox in the building where I am renting, but he does not live here.

    I have requested a real mailing address from him twice so I can send him certified mail, and both times he has refused. I dont know if this will help my case in any way.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Cockroach And Heating Problems

    I had a landlord like yours once. He even threatened to evict me when I gave him 60 days notice that I was leaving because I bought a house. Quite the charmer, that one, just like yours.

    Don't worry, my friend. Karma will get him.

    Let's start with the roaches. Under NJ's warranty of habitability, your landlord is responsible for making sure your apartment is pest free. It also requires him to make repairs.
    If he won't do it, the law gives you some options:

    The law gives you several ways to assert your right as a tenant to safe and decent housing and to make your landlord repair defective conditions in your rental unit. You have the legal right to:

    * Call in the building or health inspector,

    * Use your rent to make repairs,

    * Withhold your rent, and

    * Take legal action.

    Note: If you live in a building that was built with the help of state funding, the landlord must hold a meeting for all the tenants every three months, so that the tenants can discuss complaints they have about conditions in the building. (A meeting would not have to be held if a majority of the tenants voted not to hold it.) Cite: N.J.S.A. 55:14K-7.3; P.L. 2007, c. 8.
    http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/place...x.cfm#6repairs
    Your landlord is not unfindable. If he's the owner of the property and not merely a manager, you can fish his name and address out of county property records. For Jersey City, that's the office of the Hudson County Register. And should you get stuck? Contact Constituent Services. They'll be able to point you in the right direction.

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