With Dangerous Cold on the Way, Officials Advise Residents of Newark Heating Law

While the area will enjoy a brief reprieve from the wintry weather this weekend, with temperatures forecast to reach up into the 40s on Sunday, another blast of frigid air is on the way that is expected to send temperatures plummeting into the single digits by Tuesday.

With the onset of the dangerous and potentially record-setting cold, the city of Newark reminds residents living in apartments about the city’s heating ordinance, which requires landlords to maintain certain minimum temperatures at their properties.  

“Maintaining public safety in Newark also means providing residents with sufficient heat in winter,” said Mayor Luis Quintana. “Landlords have a moral and legal obligation to provide heat to their tenants and I urge them to abide by city laws.”

Landlords in Newark are required by municipal ordinance to maintain homes at 68 degrees between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., and at 65 degrees from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.,through May 1.

Failure to supply heat at the minimum of 68 degrees can result in legal action in Newark Municipal Court. Fines imposed on landlords can exceed $1,000 per day for each day until the heat is fully restored.

Tenants residing in apartments without heat and hot running 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 a.m. to 7 p.m. On weekends and holidays, please contact the “No Heat Hotline” at (973) 733-6471, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.