landlord tenant new-york-city tenancy-rules
Tenant is asking to repair a built-in closet. It was fine when they moved in
<p>I own a small studio apt. in a co-op building located in Brooklyn, NY USA.</p>
<p>My tenant, who's been renting this studio for ~ 3 years, is asking to repair one of the built-in closets.</p>
<p>This closet was fine when this tenant moved in. I made a few repairs to it before signing the lease. Based on the photo they provided, it is very hard to tell whether this problem has been caused by wear-and-tear or any intentional / unintentional damage.</p>
<p>My question is -- Who is responsible for making these repairs?</p>
<ul>
<li>If its the tenant, is there a regulation I can refer to when speaking to the them.</li>
<li>If its the landlord, what's stopping the tenant from damaging something else in the house(.e.g kitchen cabinets) and claiming the same story, and how can I protect my property?</li>
</ul>

<h2><a href="http://rhol.com/rental/WEAR.HTM" rel="noreferrer">Fair wear and tear</a></h2>
<p>Means the normal deterioration of a property from ordinary, everyday use. Exposure to the elements, time, as well as day to day living can cause fair wear and tear. Breakages as a result of normal use are also wear and tear.</p>
<p>Damage is either intentional or a result of usage that is not normal.</p>
<p>So, if the closet has failed through normal use - throwing a wheel on a runner, a hinge or latch breaking in normal use - then it's your responsibility. If it is a result of abnormal use - slamming, continuing to operate when something is clearly wrong - then it's your tenant's responsibility.</p>
<p>However, there are commercial consideration beyond the legal ones. A tenant with a 3-year record of on-time rental payments and no other demands beyond a broken closet? Fix it and keep the tenant happy.</p>
