Bloomberg Warns Landlords to Turn Heat On

© Sean Gallup/Staff/Getty Images

The Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, has issued a warning to landlords whose buildings were victims of Hurricane Sandy's wrath- turn on the heat, or else.

It is estimated that more than 800 apartment buildings in the city still do not have heat, with 500 also lacking electricity because they were so badly damaged by the Hurricane. Bloomberg is concerned with getting these buildings fixed as the cold winter temperatures are fast approaching. He says the landlords must arrange for their own repairs or they can sign up at New York City Rapid Repairs, which is a free program set up for NYC after the storm to help restore power and heat. Landlords who fail to arrange for repairs could face hefty fines.

Bloomberg is correct in issuing such a declaration. It is a landlord's responsibility to have working heat for their tenants during the colder months. While I am sure the landlords of these buildings have been doing what they can to get their properties in working order, there is so much damage in the area that it can take weeks just to get an appointment with a repairman. Hopefully the NYC Rapid Repairs Program can act quickly to help these landlords and their tenants who have been suffering for almost a month.