Tenants, Problems with Heat or Hot Water? Call the City

With temperatures dropping recently, city officials are reminding residents by law landlords are required to maintain adequate heating in homes throughout the winter months.

The ordinance, in effect until May 1, states that temperatures must be heated to at least 68 degrees between 6 am and 11 pm and at least 65 degrees from 11 pm to 6 am daily.
 
“Maintaining public safety in Newark also means providing residents with sufficient heat in winter,” said Mayor Cory Booker. “Landlords have a moral and legal obligation to provide heat to their tenants and I urge them to abide by city laws.”
 
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 who 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 p.m.
 
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.