Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New Jersey

Hello, I live in a 4 family apartment complex and my circuit breaker box keeps going off when I use some household appliances at the same time. I am unable to use an electric heater and microwave at the same time. 2 days in January we were out of electricity and the landlord did not do anything about it. We called our own electrician whom we paid $40 He sais the problem was that we only had only 2 wires and one of them burnt off so we were using only one wire which was dangerous. He "bypassed" some wired to provide temporary solution which is still dangerous. He advised the landlord that we needed a better cuircuit breaker with at least 3 wires like the other 3 apartments which will cost him $250. He refused to pay for it. We spend $ 128 to buy ice, fuses, travel to stay with family for 2 days. When I asked for my money he said I was nut that he was not paying for my negligence and if anything I should split the cost of the circuit breaker with him. There are countless repairs that need to be done ( boiler we need to refill every night, paint peeling from the kitchen ceiling due to leak in the upstairs apt, mice infestation...). Can I withhold rent until he fixes everything or I an just move without notice ( I have a month to month lease)


Asked on 1/27/10, 5:35 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Locksley Wade Law Office of Locksley O. Wade

Given that you have a month-to-month lease you are in a perfect situation to move without paying the landlord any damages for breaking your lease as long as you give him notice of your intent to move.

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Answered on 2/06/10, 5:27 am


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