Skip Navigation
StreetEasy Logo

Half-heated duplex?

Started by jennem
almost 15 years ago
Posts: 22
Member since: Oct 2008
Discussion about
We have a duplex apartment--ground floor and basement/cellar floor. The building has 10 units and technically heat is included in the rent. However, for the entire 400sf basement floor, there is no heat except one small screen over a hot-water pipe in one corner of the ceiling. The temps stay well below 50 on a daily basis. There are installed electric radiators, but we have to pay the bills to run those and it is PRICEY. Is that legal, for the landlord to only heat 1 floor of the unit and make us pay to bring the other floor up to required 55-68 degrees?
Response by maly
almost 15 years ago
Posts: 1377
Member since: Jan 2009

The basement is not technically habitable, so either your apartment is not legit, or you're paying a lot for "storage space."

Ignored comment. Unhide
Response by jennem
almost 15 years ago
Posts: 22
Member since: Oct 2008

Nope, a "recreation space" in a basement is legal. Just not a "living space."

Ignored comment. Unhide
Response by maly
almost 15 years ago
Posts: 1377
Member since: Jan 2009

True, but there are no obligation to heat a "recreational space", so unless your lease specifies your landlord commits to keeping the non-habitable space warm, you're plum out of luck.

Ignored comment. Unhide

Add Your Comment

Most popular

  1. Losses on Manhattan condos
    52 Comments
  2. 55% of New Yorkers won't
    23 Comments
  3. NYC mayor
    27 Comments
  4. 35 Sutton Place...coming soon
    81 Comments
  5. Bought in 2012, selling now at 100+mm dollar loss
    25 Comments