I live in a "luxury" high-rise in Manhattan. I put the word "luxury" in quotes, because the building looks nice on the outside, it's in a good neighborhood, and the rent is very high ($5,600 a month for my 1,200 sq foot 1BR).

That said, the level of service is a joke. We just bought a place and are doing a renovation, so we won't be able to leave for several months. Right now, the AC is down in the entire building, and it's a heat wave here in Manhattan. I have a thermometer, and my apartment is 85 degrees right now, and it's incredibly muggy. We have a one year old daughter here, and we are all suffering.

This is not the first time this has happened either. The system is shoddy and old, and clearly needs to be replaced. I think the management company is just too cheap to replace it. The building has great views, has a sleek, fancy looking lobby, and the apartments have floor to ceiling windows, so it's an easy draw for new renters. But who cares about any of that if you're sitting in your own living room sweating like a pig and dying from heat.

What can I do here? Can I demand a rent adjustment? There are old people in this building, and this has to be a health risk. Can a managing company's refusal to buy a new HVAC system make them liable for damages? It's unacceptable to pay this much money in rent and have to suffer like this. There has to be some legal recourse, and if anyone has any serious insight I would appreciate it.

the answer is going to be in your lease

$5,600 for a 1/br? dear god

I would say standard, but even in Manhattan this is not standard.

We just bought a 2 bedroom, but since we just had a baby, we needed a large enough 1 BR to tide us over until we moved. The place we have now has a large dining alcove, which is acting as our nursery until the renovation in our new apartment is done.

The point is, the AC is down, and it's basically unbearable. I'm seriously considering just not paying my rent.

then don't

see what happens

life is full of mystery and adventure

I doubt you have any recourse, legal or otherwise. You should definitely complain to the property managers if you have not already done so.

HOLY $J*% that's crazy.

If you can pay $5600 a month for a 1 bedroom in Manhattan you can probably afford to call your attorney instead of googletarding OOT on this one.