The mayor's office and my ward councilman were both very helpful and responsive to an issue I had with my landlord last year regarding child safety bars and a discrimination issue. I was impressed and relieved at the time.

http://www.cityofjerseycity.com/hedc.aspx?id=1182

Hope this helps. I think I originally found this link on these boards. Have it bookmarked, for "just in case" situations.

I'm new to this board but not to Jersey City. I joined because I'd like to join in the dialogue with JCListers. There's a lot to rant about in this city.

This may sound like a crazy suggestion given the state of city government these days but....isn't there an office in this city that someone can call with a tennant landlord relations issue?

Anyone know about first floor bars on windows being required?

I guess that is my question... if your business was having a cash flow problem; would you not be tempted to "borrow" from the escrow account of your tenants. They create the accounts...

Can the owners/Landlords use security money of tenants without consent of tenants to do so?

Any thoughts on landlord defaulting on apartment building; apparently small property management company that brought a number of building in Jersey City / Gold Coast... understand number of properties under foreclosure including my building. I know I can't be evicted... must continue to pay rent, but concerned about security deposit... never recieved tax statement on the account for 2009?

Good luck.

That is perfect! Thank you!

The short version is that the landlord is required to pay for painting if it needs it and it hasn't been painted in three years. If it's been more recent than 3 years, it's on you.

Holes or leaks and whatnot are definitely his responsibility.

Here's the actual code,

5:10-8.2 Interior Surfaces
(a) All floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces shall be kept in good repair, that is, free from cracks,
breaks, split or splintering boards or woodwork, loose plaster, flaking or peeling paint or other materials.
Loose or defective sections shall be removed and replaced so that the joint between the repair and the
sound material is made flush and smooth.
(b) Floors, walls, ceilings and other exposed surfaces shall be kept clean, free from visible foreign
matter, sanitary and well maintained at all times. If necessary to accomplish the foregoing, these sur-
faces shall be kept painted, whitewashed, papered, covered or treated with sealing materials or other pro-
tective coatings as needed.
(c) Interior walls, ceilings and other exposed surfaces in units of dwelling space shall be kept smooth,
clean, free of flaking, loose or peeling paint, plaster or paper and capable of being maintained free of visi-
ble foreign matter and of vermin, and in a sanitary condition. If and when necessary to accomplish the
foregoing or any part thereof, such interior surfaces shall be spackled, painted, papered or otherwise pro-
vided with a protective coating appropriate for the surface material and this shall be done at least once
every three years unless it is clearly unnecessary. Painting or other provision of a protective coating shall
be the responsibility of the occupant and not of the owner when required more frequently than once every
three years as a result of the acts or omissions of the occupant, a member of his family or household or
his guest.
(d) Owners shall maintain records indicating the date on which any dwelling unit or part thereof was
painted or otherwise provided with a protective coating for six years. Said records shall also indicate the
name and address of the person who did the work, the nature of the work done and the cost. Said re-
cords shall be made available upon request to the Bureau or to any inspector performing an inspection of
the premises on behalf of the Bureau.
(e) Except where housekeeping services are provided, normal housekeeping as required for the
maintenance of cleanliness and sanitation within individual units of dwelling space of multiple dwellings
shall be the responsibility of the occupants and shall not, unless a hazard to the health, safety or welfare
of persons other than the occupants of the dwelling unit is thereby created, be the responsibility of the
owner.
(f) Interior surfaces of multiple dwellings that have not been certified as lead-free in accordance with
N.J.A.C. 5:17 shall be maintained in accordance with the applicable provisions of N.J.A.C. 5:10-6.6.

Thank you, but this still doesn't tell me what the landlord is required to do by law.

I need help finding some type of legal documentation that states what a landlord's responsibilities are when renting an apartment.

Example, is a landlord required to paint? or is it a courtesy? What are the rules when your landlord doesn't fix a leak or a hole in the ceiling? All things that you didn't cause!

Can anyone help? What is the process to take action and how do I escalate if needed?

Thanks in advance!