SPIEGEL IN THE TIMES: WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR BROKEN TOILET?

Our partner, Glenn H. Spiegel was quoted in the Real Estate Section of Sunday's New York Times .

Here's the piece in its entirety:

Taking Responsibility for Plumbing Repairs

I live in a rent-stabilized Manhattan apartment. My landlord recently implied that by sending in a plumber to fix a nonworking toilet, she was doing me a favor. Isn't plumbing the owner's responsibility?

 Glenn H. Spiegel, a Manhattan real estate lawyer, says that responsibility for the cost of the repair depends on the cause of the problem.

"If the repair is of a routine nature or is the result of a malfunction caused by ordinary wear and tear," he said, "then the landlord would be responsible."

On the other hand, if the situation is caused by the tenant -- if, for example, the tenant makes an improper repair -- the landlord can take the position that the tenant is liable.

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To view the original piece, please use this link: Who Pays for Plumbing Repair?