Summary
The tenant moved to New York from Georgia and found the rental property in an uninhabitable condition due to the landlord raising quail in the living room and hoarding. The tenant has documented the conditions and has spoken to the landlord about breaking the lease. The landlord insists on finding a new tenant before agreeing to break the lease. The tenant was advised to report the conditions to the New York City Department of Health and was informed that in New York, tenants can break a lease due to uninhabitable conditions.Full Conversation
I moved to New York from Georgia a few days ago, i had a place secured before i moved here and upon arriving, discovered that the landlord is raising quail in the main living room, and the entire house smells like ammonia and fecal matter from the animals. Not to mention a serious hoarding problem. There are * other people besides the landlord living in the home. I am now looking for a new place, and the landlord is stating that because i signed the lease already, im responsible for the rent until he finds a new tenant
Did you document the condition of the house upon your arrival? It's crucial for your case.
In New York:
- Landlords must provide a habitable living environment.
- You can break a lease due to uninhabitable conditions.
Yes i have video and photo evidence
That's good. Have you reported this to any local authority or health department? In New York, you can report such conditions to the Department of Health.
not yet
I recommend you report this to the New York City Department of Health immediately. Their contact number is *.
Is there anything else i can do prior to calling the NY state department of health
What specific issue are you planning to discuss with the NY state department of health?
the quail inside the residence and hoarding issue
What is the exact nature of the hoarding issue and how is it affecting you?
cluttered main floor space in several rooms inside and outside of the home, that i have to walk through to get to my apartment
Have you tried discussing this issue with your landlord before considering reporting to the NY state department of health?
- In NY, landlords are required to maintain safe and clean premises.
- Nearest court: New York City Housing Court, Contact: (*) *-*.
i did, he stated that no one had ever mentioned these concerns before
What evidence do you have of the hoarding and cluttering issue? Photos, videos, or written complaints can be helpful.
video
What does the video show and have you shared it with your landlord or any authority yet?
its a video walking through the main floor of the home showing the conditions, no i have not shown it to the landlord or anyone else
What is the reason you haven't shown the video to your landlord or any authority yet?
- In NY, tenants can use evidence like videos to report unsafe conditions to the Department of Health.
im waiting for response from the landlord about how we are going to move forward with breaking the lease
What is the specific reason you want to break the lease?
In NY, tenants can break a lease due to uninhabitable conditions. Nearest court: New York City Housing Court, Contact: (*) *-*.
I did not stay there for even one night, the home smells like a chicken coop and is cluttered and filthy
Have you documented the condition of the house with photos or videos? This could be useful if you decide to take legal action.
yes
What steps have you taken so far to address this issue with your landlord?
spoke with him in person about breaking the lease
What was your landlord's response when you spoke to him about breaking the lease?
he stated that i signed a binding document, and that he’d have to find another tenant before he’d agree to break the lease
What does your lease agreement say about early termination or breaking the lease?
In NY, tenants can break a lease due to uninhabitable conditions. Nearest court: New York City Housing Court, Contact: (*) *-*.
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