Do I have to allow my landlord into my apartment to do repairs, even if I don’t want to? How much notice am I entitled to?

Mar 14, 2025

In Episode 43 we discuss whether and when you must allow your landlord into your apartment to do needed repairs. We also discuss how much notice you are entitled to and what kind of control you can assert over the repair process. Can you pick the contractor? Can you do the work yourself and then deduct from the rent? These and other questions are tackled in this episode.

Listen on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Links:

• Tenant Law Podcast Website

• New York City Housing Maintenance Code § 27-2008 (Owner’s right of access)

• Housing Preservation and Development regulation § 25-101 (Owner’s Right of Access and Requirements for Notification)

• Sometimes tenant says, “I need to see the contractor’s license.” I cannot find any authority that gives tenant a right to ask for a contractor’s license before allowing them to enter the apartment. In fact, I found a DHCR proceeding where a tenant was not allowed to challenge repairs that the landlord did on the basis that the contractor was unlicensed. In The Matter of the Administrative Appeal of Joann Brown; DHCR Admin. Rev. Dckt. No. PK210080RT (3/12/02); LVT Number: 15801.

• Tenant Law Podcast Free Booklet – How to Get Repairs in Your NYC Apartment

• Suggest future topics at [email protected].