Mike Akerly

Q. I live in a rental apartment in Manhattan and have recently had some issues in my bathroom that have resulted in a water leak in the apartment below mine.  I am worried because the workers that my management company has sent to do the repairs seem less than professional. 

Does my management company need to hire a licensed contractor for the work?

Q. My kitchen will become mostly unusable for a week or two while my landlord fixes a leak above the sink. There has not been any permanent damage to my personal property, but am I entitled to a discounted rent for the time I can't use my kitchen?

A. Possibly. There are at least two possible theories upon which you might be due a rent reduction for the period of time that the repair work is conducted.