By law, landlords are required to provide their tenants with a minimal temperature of 68 degrees between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., and 65 degrees from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., from October 1, 2007, through May 1, 2008.
"Maintaining public safety in Newark also means providing residents with sufficient heat in winter." said Mayor Booker. "Landlords have a moral and legal obligation to provide heat to their tenants and I urge them to follow city laws."
This hotline number will be manned by the Division of Inspections and Enforcement from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Inspectors will respond to all complaints of lack of heat and initiate enforcement action if warranted.
Forecasters are predicting cold temperatures today and tonight. Any questions that property owners and tenants may have can be addressed by contacting the Division of Inspections and Enforcement at (973) 733-6472.