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Listen: What Heat Season Means For You

Judith Goldiner, Attorney-in-Charge at The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Law Reform Unit, recently joined The Brian Lehrer Show to discuss heat season in New York City and what tenants need to know about their rights.

Heat season runs from October 1st through May 31st and during that time period landlords must provide heat for their tenants. During the day from 6am – 10pm if the outside temperature is below 55 degrees the inside temp must be 68 degrees, overnight the temperature inside must be at least 62 degrees.

Goldiner urged tenants to be vigilant on their own behalf “If you feel like you’re not getting enough heat, get a thermometer and start keeping a log every day,” she said. “If you’re not getting proper heat, you should call 311 and ask the City to send an out inspector to check on the heat.”

Further remedies include could include taking your landlord to housing court or filing a complaint with the State housing agency if you are a tenant in a rent-regulated unit.

Listen to the full episode below.