Is it legal to rent a room in NY that has no windows?

Question

I recently rented a room in a 4 bedroom house that has a downstairs with 3 bedrooms being rented out while the upstairs is being used by the landlords. The room itself is ridiculously small. It has just enough space for a bed, book shelf, and a small desk. It basically looks like a small college dorm room.(There is no closet inside. I use a small storage room in the living room)

But the main issue is that it doesn't have any windows. There is central air that comes in through a vent on the floor but the piece of crap barely lets any air in. Plus one of the landlords just recently told us to turn off the central air because it was eating up the electricity. I don't even understand. WE (the tenants) pay for our own utilities. Why do they care? Basically I have to leave the door open for any fresh air. Is that even legal? I live in NY btw.

I'm thinking of leaving. Paying 850$ a month for a closet-sized room with no window is nuts. Plus, they sort've lied as well. They said I would be sharing a bathroom with one other tenant. I found out I'm sharing it with two others while the master bedroom has it's own bathroom. (It's 1000$ for the master bedroom). The only reason I chose this place was because it's in a nice area and it came fully furnished. Though when they first showed me around, there was a nice full-size. When I moved in, a shoddy twin-size was there instead.

Answer 1

Sounds like it may not be legal. Here is a site that may help answer your questions ... http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rental-red-flags-10-signs-you-dont-want-that-apartment/

Answer 2

It is not a legal apartment. Report it. It is required to have a fire exit directly to outdoors, whether this is a door or a window Unless your bedroom door opens directly to outside, it is required to have a window as an exit. Just think....if the hallway was on fire, would you be trapped in your bedroom? If the answer is yes, the apartment is illegal.

Answer 3

There is a window right outside the room, does that count? The door itself has 15 glass panels on it. Is that enough for them to bypass the legality of the situation?

Answer 4

NYS building code requires that each basement sleeping area have an "exit door" no less than 3 ft wide and a "rescue and escape opening" at least 5.7 sq ft, whether a window or bulkhead door.

Answer 5

You got a bad deal. Move out.

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

not a legal apartment

Answer 9

they told the woman from florida you wanted it...duh