What you can do:
Is your building safe? Any of these problems may be a sign of structural damage:
*cracks in exterior walls
*walls separating from the building
*warped floors
*gaps between walls and floors
*uneven doorways
If you notice any of these conditions, call the borough office of the Buildings Department, (718) 579-6906.
If your apartment needs repairs, the Citywide Task Force on Housing Court recommends these four steps for getting your landlord's attention:
1. Write a letter to the landlord detailing the conditions. Include a specific date by which you expect a reply. Take photographs of the problem.
2. Call in a complaint to the 24-hour hotline at the city's Department of Housing and Preservation, (212) 960-4800.
3. If the landlord does not respond by the date specified, sue the landlord for repairs. Go to window 9 in Housing Court, located in the basement of the state Supreme Court Building, 851 Grand Concourse, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. The $35 fee is waived for those receiving public assistance. Tip: bring a pen, change for the copy machine and photo identification. Arrive early and plan to wait.
4.File a complaint with the state's Division of Housing and Community Renewal, 1 Fordham Plaza. It can take longer for a response, but if the landlord does not respond, your rent may be reduced until repairs are made.