Black Mold, Heating, No Intercom

I have been so frustrated and upset over my living conditions over the past few months. There has been heating issues since October, when they didn't turn the heat on. Throughout the winter the heat has been inconsistent and I am freezing most of the time. I am on the second floor and have NEVER had a working intercom, despite numerous complaints and many promises that it would be fixed. The most recent discovery...black mold in the bedroom and significant cracks in the walls in the bedroom and living room. The roof directly outside of my unit, on my balcony, is wood and is literally rotted away and leaking. I have photo and video documentation, as well as all the letters I have written complaining. I never once got a response back. Enough is enough. Can I break my lease? Do I have a lawsuit to get some of the rent I've already paid back? I hate that this landlord/scumbag is getting away with this. I'm on Long Island, in NY. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

If heating is truly not adequate you can break the lease. Cal the city's 311 line as well and file a complaint as heat must be provided.

It is permitted to break the lease (or e.g. sue for the decreased lease value in small claims) if they have failed to comply with the lease and/or there are material health, noise or safety concerns--but save all information, evidence etc. in case they dispute the situation and try to take you to small claims court. Based on what you say here the concerns would seem valid, and frankly the conditions likely do not meet code compliance--those would be reasons to cancel.

Being exposed to many household mold types can cause your family to become ill and in some cases can also be fatal. If you have suspicion of mold poisoning in your home you should contact a professional <a href=”http://www.moldremovalcertified.com”>mold removal specialist</a> immediately to assure that you and your family is safe. Household mold also causes athlete's foot. If you have athlete's foot or your feet are constantly itching, you might have a mold problem. Athlete's foot can also spread into your genital region and cause jock itch. It is pretty gross when you think about it, jock itch is mold.

I had to laugh at that last post! Athlete's foot is a fungus, but it is not mold. Nor does mold cause athlete's foot! All fungi are not the same. Some are beneficial, some benign, some harmful. Mushrooms are also fungi (would you get athlete's foot from coming in contact with those?). By your logic, mushrooms are then mold! These are completely different strains of fungi.

The mold in houses is not athlete's foot. It can be harmful, as in black mold. But black mold is rare. Less than 1% of all cases is mold in houses are black mold. The mold must be tested to see what type of mold it is. Chances are slim that it is black mold in any house. Until it is tested, the mold is not a reason to terminate. Neither is an intercom. A simple battery operated doorbell cam replace this at a cost of $15. An intercom is not guaranteed to anyone. This poster's best method of termination is the heating problem.