STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As temperatures continue to drop as we head into the winter months, Attorney General Letitia James wants to make sure New Yorkers know their legal rights when it comes to keeping warm.
Last week, James issued a consumer alert to remind New Yorkers of their home utilities rights, including legal protections for heat and hot water.
“New Yorkers have a legal right to heat and hot water services during the winter season,” said James. “As temperatures drop, I urge New Yorkers to know their rights when it comes to home utilities, and to reach out to my office if they feel their rights are being violated. No New Yorker should be left without heat or hot water as days and nights grow colder.”
In New York, utility companies are required to make extra efforts to contact a household before a shut off during the cold weather period, which is defined as Nov. 1 through Apr. 15.
Utility companies are required to wait at least 35 days from when notices are past due to pursue termination of service and must provide at least 15 days notice before doing so.
Additionally, utility companies are not permitted to shut off service to residential costumers during the two-week period that includes Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Companies are also required to have trained personnel evaluate whether shutting off service to a customer poses a risk of serious impairment to a resident’s health or safety.
If such a risk is determined, the utility company must notify social services to evaluate the situation before shutting off service.
Any New Yorker who has been subject to an unauthorized shut off of services is encouraged to file a complaint online or call 1-800-771-7755.