Hot Water not to Code in Rental

[Victoria Davies]

My husband and I moved into a place mid September & the hot water has been an issue since day one. PM said to boil hot water and throw it in the tub — which I found unacceptable as the water is ~20 degrees less than the minimum per NJ Code.

Today I spoke with landlord/tenant at city hall, and they advised we can deduct 20% for a utility not to city/state code, and they’ll send an inspector from housing code. 

Considering it’s been 3.5 months, and the PM still considers this to not be an issue, and the owner has constantly said to reach out to her (the PM) — I’m at a loss except for a deduction.  Total 20% deduction for 3 months would be $2,040, and an additional $680 for the month of January.

Being a landlord ourselves this amongst the many other issues we’ve had is pure negligence.  Yet the owner is caught up in his own thing, and didn’t have time for a face to face when I requested last week.  He said to reach out to PM & his husband (who never responded).  

Considering I’ve offered to even pay for the plumbers (was then told no, it would void their renovation guarantee) I’m feeling I have no other choice than a deduction.

Thoughts?  Ideas?