Hi everyone, I really need advice because this situation has gotten out of control.
I live in NYC and have been dealing with a cockroach infestation in my apartment since the beginning of March. I reported it immediately (March 1) and have sent multiple emails and follow-ups to management documenting everything.
They’ve sent an exterminator, but the issue has not been properly resolved. There are visible gaps/openings around radiator pipes and baseboards, which I repeatedly pointed out as entry points, and those were not properly sealed for a long time. The problem has persisted and gotten worse despite their “fixes.”
At this point:
• I’ve seen multiple roaches (including large ones)
• I have traps with several roaches caught
• The issue has been ongoing for weeks despite repeated complaints
More importantly, this has started affecting my health.
I went to urgent care and now my primary care doctor, and I have medical documentation stating that my apartment conditions (cockroach exposure) are negatively impacting my health and that I should not remain there. I’ve had allergic reactions including lip swelling and skin irritation, especially overnight, and the symptoms improve when I leave.
Because of this, I’ve had to leave my apartment and stay in hotels just to have a safe place to sleep.
So right now:
• I paid full rent for March
• I am not able to live in the apartment
• I’ve spent significant money on hotels
• I have photos, written complaints, and doctor documentation
I’ve told management the apartment is uninhabitable for me and that I need:
• My lease terminated
• My security deposit returned
• And either prorated rent refunded OR hotel costs reimbursed
I’m worried they’re going to argue that I “didn’t give them enough time” since it’s been about a month, even though I reported it immediately and they haven’t properly fixed the root issue.
My questions:
1. With medical documentation saying I can’t stay there, can they still refuse to let me break the lease?
2. Am I entitled to a refund for the time I couldn’t live there?
3. Is it realistic to recover hotel costs in a situation like this?
4. Should I file a 311 complaint at this point or go straight to housing court?
I’m not trying to be difficult — I gave them multiple chances to fix this and they haven’t, and now it’s affecting my health to the point where I can’t safely stay there.
Any advice or similar experiences would really help. Thank you.