Do I have reason to sue if I’ve been living in an apartment with no power or meter for almost a month?

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Do I have reason to sue if I’ve been living in an apartment with no power or meter for almost a month?

Just spoke to power company after 3 weeks of waiting already, was told that meter won’t be delivered until next week. This seems unacceptable and completely illegal. Both the management company for the building and the power company know and are allowing my roommate and I to live in an untenable building and leased it to us with this knowledge. Management company has given us one month free rent, but they haven’t done much to help us. I’ve made all phone calls over the last month between the parties and I believe if I hadn’t taken the initiative, I wouldn’t be any closer to getting power.

Asked on September 20, 2011 under Real Estate Law, New York

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

I understand your frustration about living in a unit without electrical power. It sounds from your question that the problem has arisen due to the electrical company's fault.

You have not been charged for rent in the unit that you occupy by the property manager for the time where there has been no electricity. Given this concession by the landlord's agent, you have no damages to sue the landlord for.

As to the electrical company, since you are not receiving any electricity for the unit, you are not being billed. As such, you have no damages.

I suggest that you ask the property manager for an extra month for no charge when the electricity is back on for the inconvenience.

Good luck.


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