If we have no window or vent in our kitchen or bathroom is this legal?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If we have no window or vent in our kitchen or bathroom is this legal?
We live in an 800 sq ft apartment and we have 2 windows; 1 in the bedroom and 1 in the living room. Whenever I cook anything the smell lingers for weeks since there is no ventilation in our kitchen. Also, the kitchen is an alcove. The bathroom is pretty tiny and when we moved in they told us the vent was broken and it would be fixed. When I asked the super he said it was broken for the entire building and it could not be fixed. It gets moldy very quickly and I am worried about breathing in mold. It is ruining cabinets we installed. Can I force my landlord to provide some ventilation, etc?
Asked on December 14, 2011 under Real Estate Law, New York
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You need to realize that many kitchens and bathrooms do not have windows, especially in larger apartment buildings in larger cities. These buildings building and safety code requirements are different than in newer buildings so you need to first check with two entities before you begin pushing your landlord for changes or considering this to be uninhabitable such that you can move earlier than your lease allows. You need to check with the local building and safety department and have an inspector come to the building and check the occupancy certificate and codes with what the inspector sees and inspects in your apartment. You also need to check with your local consumer protection agency that handles landlord tenant matters.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.