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How To Prepare Your Apartment For A Winter In New York

  • WYL
  • Dec 25, 2017
Dec 25, 2017 by WYL
With cold months ahead, it is important to make sure that your home is equipped to handle winter weather emergencies. Take a look at this list to make sure you are not only prepared for the frosty temperatures but an emergency situation as well.

Heat

It is important to note that the official heating season is from October 1st to May 31st. During this time, in New York City, the law requires that your landlord provide heat at the following levels from October 1 through May 31:
  • Day
    Between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 pm, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Night
    Between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, the inside temperature is required to be at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

how to prepare for a new york winter

Power Outages

Make sure to have the following:
  • A portable charger for your phone in case it dies
  • Flashlights with extra batteries
  • Candles (with lighter or matches)
  • Extra blankets (it will get cold)
  • Electric portable space heaters
  • Drinking water
  • Canned food/Food that requires no cooking
  • First-aid kit

Frozen pipes

Do the following:
  • Put heat near the pipes, so they don’t burst
    • (open cabinet doors under sinks, so pipes are exposed to warmer air)
  • Leave all water taps open to allow for continuous dripping
  • Thaw pipes with an electric blow dryer
 If you are experiencing irregularities with your heat or hot water, download a copy of the Met Council on Housing's Heat & Hot Water Info Sheet & Tenant Heat Log. Then leave a review of your landlord here.