Home-Heating Rules Kick in This Week

Monday marked the start of the heating season, when landlords are required by city ordinance to maintain homes at a temperature of at least 68 degrees between 6 am and 11 pm, and 65 degrees from 11 pm to 6 am, the office of Mayor Cory Booker announced.

The requirement remains in effect through May 1, 2013.
 
“Maintaining public safety in Newark also means providing residents with sufficient heat in winter,” said Booker. “Landlords have a moral and legal obligation to provide heat to their tenants and I urge them to follow city laws.”
 
Failure to supply heat at the minimum of 68 degrees can result in legal action in Newark Municipal Court. Fines on landlords can exceed $1,000 per day for each day until the heat is fully restored.
 
Tenants residing in apartments without heat, without running hot water, or have had their utilities shut off can call the City of Newark’s Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311, Mondays to Fridays, from 7 am to 7 pm. On weekends and holidays, please contact the “No Heat Hotline” at (973) 733-6471, from 10 am to 7 pm.