Can I Force My Landlord to Fix a Broken Outlet?

"you have a loose family relationship with the landlord" That is not what the LW has written. They are SUBLETTING from a family friend. The landlord(s) are not related as far as we know. It sounds like the family friends are the ones stipulating not moving the furniture. The landlord (I am one) should fix the broken outlet or offer to install the strip so it is accessible to you.

OR, you could simply fix it yourself. It's not that hard. If you're uncomfortable working with electricity, than ask the building's Super for the name of one who is familiar with the building. As you are "sub-letting" from a family member, I suspect you're a) getting a deal and b)not informing the building owner of your arrangement.

This is just one why subletting is not a good idea -- unless it is a one year or less sublet. At which point you arent there for long and then you are gone. NYC wiring, which is often pre-1950s, is not always simple or obvious, even if you know the basics.

Fix it yourself. It’s really quite easy.

keep bothering them your lease will be a one year and bye bye

I own an old house and can attest that swapping out an outlet can usually be done easily and safely.. While the problem may just be that the outlet needs to be replaced, there may be a more significant underlying electrical problem. In a rental I would be very reluctant to swap out an outlet. It should be done by a professional, sent by, or at least approved by the landlord. Does the tenant even know if the outlet behind the dresser works? Are there other outlets or fixtures that have problems?

It's interesting to read many of the "Do-It-yourself" comments -- From the NYC Dept of Buildings: Electrical An electrical permit is required for most electrical work, including handling of electrical wires that is performed in a residential home or business. The Buildings’ Electrical Unit issues electrical permits. Electrical installations must be performed by electrical contractors who are licensed by the Department of Buildings. As of December 4, 2017, it is mandatory to submit all ED16A Electrical filings in DOB NOW: Build. Electrical Filings (1 RCNY §34-05 filings) that need to go in front of the Advisory Board are not included in this release. They will continue to be filed through Electrical Advisory Board at 280 Broadway. Electrical filing in conjunction with new building, renovation or other work should be filed through eFiling or through the Electrical Unit at 1 Centre Street, Manhattan. All job filings that currently have a BIS job number will continue to be processed in eFiling or through the Electrical Unit. Consequences of Working Without a Permit If electrical work is performed without a permit, the owner of the building, as well as the individual who performed the illegal work, may be subject to violations, summonses, court appearances and fines. Furthermore, an unlicensed electrical contractor who performed the work may be fined for working without a license. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/business/electrical-permit-type.page

Rents are high; even what is considered reasonable rent is usually two weeks pay. For what we shell over to these cockroach capitalists, we should have repairs done promptly.

Most buildings have a superintendent or other building staff who handle minor repairs like this for a small tip -- $20 should do it but your experience may vary. If you really must, you can deduct the $20 (or $40) from your next rent payment and mention why. The owner will probably thank you for handling the problem without much further ado (about nothing--sorry, Will S.). But, really, just get over it. Your sense of moral outrage over this really minor matter is completely unwarranted and unbecoming, especially in a "friendly" relationship.

just a thought, some outlets are controlled by the wall switch. an old way of allowing you to turn lamps on and off from the entry to the room. have you tried that? if it works, then put tape over the wall switch so you don't forget to leave it on if using as a charger.

Get felt-bottomed furniture sliders, carefully tip the dresser, slip them under its feet, slide it away from the wall, and plug in the power strip. Keep the sliders. They are very, very useful in many circumstances.

Is it possible that part of the problem is a misunderstanding? When the landlord said not to move the furniture, did they mean not to budge it at all, or just not to rearrange it? Either way, what is the landlord concerned about? Is there a body hidden behind the buffet?

Lesson of one Never live or do business with friends or family "franks rule of life"

I am confused (nothing new there). FIRST: You are "subletting a co-op apartment from a family friend." What does that mean? Is the family friend the owner of the co-op, or is your family friend renting from the owner of the co-op and you are subletting from the family friend? And who are you paying the rent to. to the family friend or the owner of the co-op? Subletting in NYC is a lousy idea if you do not have a lease with the owner of the apartment you are renting so you can deal with them directly. SECOND: You "were told not to move the furniture". That is crazy!!!!! Absolutely crazy!!!!! That is completely unreasonable. I assume it is your family friend that is telling you this. Please, just solve your problem by demanding the family friend let you move the dresser to plug the power strip in. There are sliding disks you can buy for a couple dollars at the hardware store that can help you move anything a few feet with little effort. THIRD: Yes, you have the grounds the right, to the fixed power outlet. Demand that it be done. Any owner of a coop worth his salt would fix it and the issue would be closed. Go to the Building Dept or the coop's managing agent it the coop owner refuses.

Your landlord suggested you use a power strip and the only . So, just, carefully, move the dresser to plug in the power strip and then move the dresser back. Problem solved - no electrician, no rent-withholding, no housing court. Cost: the price of a power strip and, if the dresser is really that heavy that it can't be nudged by two roommates, a pizza for the friends you invite over to help. And, keep in mind, even if the one easily accessible outlet worked, you'd likely be using a power strip anyway to gain more outlets. Oh, and by the way, you should begin to think about where you'd like to live next since you've likely ruined your relationship with your current landlord. I

I don't understand how many people are suggesting a tenant do electrical work him/herself. When things go wrong with something electrical, they tend to go very, very wrong.

Another example of the average American not being able to do the simplest chores. Turn off circuit breaker, remove cover plate, remove two, possibly three wires if grounded, install in reverse order. Who do you get to tie your shoes?

The simple answer is: contrary to what most people think, landlords are not obligated to do repairs unless the problem threatens the health and safety of a tenant or makes the apt uninhabitable. I'm not sure if a non-working outlet falls into this category, however, decent landlords usually do repairs anyway, in the name of good business. Most professional landlords I work with would have attempted to repair a non-working socket even though they are not obligated to. It's rather poor advice from the lawyer to suggest withholding rent over a socket. Even if they were to win, it's not worth the time or the potential stain of a housing court record. Get an estimate from a licensed electrician, the coop super or a reputable handyman. Ask to deduct the cost from the rent, explaining it would make it easier to rent/sell in the future, if they refuse then suggest splitting the cost and at last resort paying for the repair yourselves. Otherwise, the writer is always free to leave at the end of their sublet.

I am really surprised by the comments here, particularly because the item needing repair is an electrical outlet, ie, something that could pose a huge safety hazard. The suggestion that a power strip be employed is, possibly, a hazardous one: How many times have we heard about home fires that start because of an overloaded outlet or extension cord? And why does it sound to some readers these tenants got a "sweet deal" from a family friend? there is no info in the letter saying they are paying less than market rate rent for their sublet. Unfortunately, however, almost every possible solution available to the tenants to get their landlord to make a repair s/he is actually obligated to make may result in the LL becoming angry at the tenants, thereby damaging the relationship and marking these tenants as problems. Some landlords, like some commenters, seem to think that a tenant who demands full service and an apartment where everything works safely and properly in exchange for their rent are perceived as having "too much attitude." Ahh, NY real estate--where you're either at the mercy of a landlord, or, as an owner, at the mercy of a co-op board. So happy those years are gone.

I'm sure this won't get approved and if so, people will be horrified, but changing an outlet is one of the easiest things you can do yourself. If you can use a screwdriver, you can do it.

"Your alternative is to write a letter demanding that they repair or replace it." -- "Your alternative is to call a local, licensed electrician - who will make the necessary repairs for a nominal fee - pay him yourself - and count your blessings." -- There - I fixed it for you...

Likely they are trying to avoid the cost of an electrician. However, the outlet could pose a huge fire hazard if it can still accept a plug. They should fix it or cap it. If capped, they could should provide you a 12- ft 3-prong power strip with a circuit breaker. Its rather stupid not to fix it, but could cost $300.00.

Talk about not appreciating a sweet arrangement; landlord "family friend", fixes done after "prodding". Unless this is a safety issue, let it be. If I was the apartment owner, I would not do it again with this renter. Too much attitude in the letter. I have to believe it came through in their dealings with the owner.