LANDLORDS MUST KEEP APARTMENTS AT 65 DEGREES FROM 11 P.M. TO 6 A.M.

For Immediate Release

MAYOR BOOKER REMINDS RESIDENTS ABOUT CITY ORDINANCE:

LANDLORDS MUST KEEP APARTMENTS AT 65 DEGREES FROM 11 P.M. TO 6 A.M.

Landlords must provide tenants with heat through May 1, 2012;

City inspectors will respond to tenants’ complaints of no heat or hot water

Newark, NJ – January 3, 2012 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Director of Neighborhood and Recreational Services Tharien Karim Arnold reminded Newark residents today that with temperatures expected to drop tonight to as low as 14 degrees, 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. Heat must be maintained in apartments now through May 1, 2012.

“Maintaining public safety in Newark also means providing residents with sufficient heat in winter,” said Mayor 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 a.m. to 7 p.m. After 7 p.m., or on weekends and holidays, please contact the “No Heat Hotline” at (973) 733-6471.

“Most of our landlords follow the law and provide residents with heat during the winter months,” Acting Director Arnold said. “However, some landlords are unable or unwilling to do so, and the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services will hold those landlords accountable who fail to heat apartments, and protect our residents.”

The ordinance for “No Heat” 18:3-1.19 (C) states: When the owner is obligated to supply heat, such heat shall be supplied in every unit of dwelling space and every habitable room therein from October 1 through May 1 so that: Between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. a minimum inside temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit shall be maintained.  Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., a minimum inside temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit shall be maintained.

Anyone with questions about the City’s no-heat ordinances or any other Newark municipal policy or program can contact the Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:          Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004.

                        E-mail: pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major commuter and freight rail lines, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. Its population showed growth in the most recent census. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The rate of production of affordable housing has doubled, and new businesses are moving in. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj