habitability protected.
Every residential lease carries an implied warranty of habitability. If conditions are dangerous or uninhabitable, you may repair and deduct or withhold rent after proper notice.
What this means for you: The warranty cannot be waived. Document the conditions thoroughly — photos and dated notices are key if you withhold rent.
Your next step: Send a dated written repair request and report serious violations to your local housing/code agency (HPD in NYC).
Source: N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-b. Reviewed 2026-06-16.
More New York rights: New York security deposit · New York eviction · New York entry notice · New York rent increase.
Repairs in nearby states: New Jersey (habitability protected) · Pennsylvania (habitability protected) · Connecticut (habitability protected) · Massachusetts (habitability protected).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality; consult a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.
Updated July 2026