Habitability
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{{for|habitability of planets|Planetary habitability}}
{{for|habitability of planet systems| Habitable zone}}
'''Habitability''' is the conformance of a [[House|residence]] or [[abode]] to the implied [[warranty]] of habitability. A residence that complies is said to be "habitable." It is an [[implied warranty]] or contract, meaning it does not have to be an [[express contract]], [[covenant]], or [[provision]] of a [[contract]]. It is a [[common law]] right of a tenant or [[Legal doctrine]].<ref>[http://www.nolo.com/definition.cfm/Term/5570D57D-E311-4D16-A2ACE7B9A578B9B1/alpha/I/ Nolo]</ref>
In order to be habitable, such housing usually must:
* must provide shelter, with working locks
* must be heated in the winter months (typically between October 1st and March 31st in the [[Northeastern United States]])<ref>In New York, see N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law § 79.</ref>
* must not be infested with [[vermin]], such as mice, roaches, termites, [[mold]],<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3898/is_200406/ai_n9435714 Mold in condominium: Negligent maintenance: Breach of warranty of habitability: Settlement: Verdict | Law Reporter | Find Articles at BNET.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> etc.
* the landlord stops other tenants from making too much noise (as measured by the [[decibel]] scale), [[second-hand smoke]],<ref>[http://ganshore.com/news10-06.html]</ref> or from selling [[narcotics]]
* provides [[potable]] water
* each [[Jurisdiction]] may have various rules.<ref>[http://www.tenant.net/Other_Areas/Penn/lvls/llt4wh.html Pennsylvania]</ref> <ref>[http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/contracts-agreements-real-estate/4094-1.html generally, United States]</ref> <ref>[http://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook/problems.htm California]</ref> <ref>[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0012-7086(197010)2%3A1970%3A5%3C1040%3ALATIWO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-L District of Columbia]</ref> <ref>[http://www.dhca.state.vt.us/Housing/Rules/Part%20III%20Habitability.pdf Vermont (form).]</ref> <ref>[http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=10&pt=7&ch=304&rl=3 Texas]</ref> <ref>[http://foreclosuresmass.com/help/view/glossary/termid/501 Massachusetts]</ref>
==New York law==
Some states, such as [[New York]], have given additional statutory protections in addition to those created by [[caselaw]].<ref>See [http://www.oag.state.ny.us/realestate/habitability.html N.Y. Attorney General's Website], [[q.v.]], and in External sources.</ref> These statutes include:
# Lobby attendant service by a [[concierge]] or landlord <ref>N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law §50-c </ref>
# Elevator mirrors <ref>N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law §51-b; NYC Admin. Code §27-2042</ref>
# Smoke detectors<ref>N.Y. Multiple Residence Law §15; Buffalo Code Ch. 395; NYC Admin. Code §27-2045, §27-2046</ref>
# Window guards<ref>NYC Health Code §131.15</ref>
# Intercoms and self-locking doors<ref>N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law §50-a</ref>
# Protection from [[lead paint]] <ref>NYC Health Code §173.14; </ref>
==Consequences==
Violation of the warranty of habitability results in [[constructive eviction]], whereby the [[landlord]] or [[lessor]] has, in effect, evicted the [[tenant]] or [[lessee]]. <ref>[http://www.nolo.com/definition.cfm/term/458FB18C-EC71-46F1-AAC9A2B083302857 Nolo Law]</ref> The tenant may remedy the problem, <ref>See N.Y. Real Property Law §235-b.</ref> <ref>[http://www.tenant.net/Other_Areas/Penn/lvls/llt4wh.html Warranty of Habitability (rev 7/96)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> or complain to local government authorities for [[remedies]].<ref>N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL) §78 and §80; Multiple Residence Law (MRL) §174. (Note: The MDL applies to cities with a population of 325,000 or more and the MRL applies to cities with less than 325,000 and to all towns and villages; from [http://www.oag.state.ny.us/realestate/habitability.html N.Y. Attorney General's Website].</ref>
==See also==
*[[Real property]]
*[[Real estate]]
*[[Implied warranty#Habitability|Implied warranty of habitability]]<ref>(Note to editors: merge with this article?)</ref>
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* [http://www.oag.state.ny.us/realestate/habitability.html The Attorney General of the State of New York's page]
* [http://www.tenant.net/Other_Areas/Penn/lvls/llt4wh.html Tenant's rights]
* [http://www.tenant.net/Other_Areas/Penn/lvls/llt4wh.html Pennsylvania law - Lehigh Valley Legal Services]
{{law-stub}}
[[Category:Contract law]]
[[Category:Real property law]]
[[Category:Real estate]]
[[pt:Habitabilidade]]