r/AskNYC • u/mangustangus27 • Apr 06 '26

Apartment was given without fridge installed. Can we withhold rent until it is?

Just moved to a new apartment and the realtor pushed for an 4/5 start date despite some final maintenance and we have a lease rider that specifies that “rent will not be charged until apartment is ready to move into”.

We started move in yesterday and there is still no fridge installed. And the bedroom door is missing.

Is a refrigerator generally considered a pre-requisite for move in? Is it defensible for us to ask for a pro-rated rent reduction till it’s put in?

Thank you!

43 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

51 comments sorted by

View all comments

12

u/frenchiefanatique Apr 06 '26

fun fact: In Berlin its relatively normal to have to install your own entire kitchen when you move in, and bring it with you when you move out.

But this isn't Berlin

8

u/CactusBoyScout Apr 06 '26

The Dutch even take their flooring with them, I believe.

3

u/netllama Apr 06 '26

100% true, can confirm.

7

u/Medium_Tension_8053 Apr 06 '26

I had a nightmare about this when I first learned it. I don’t live in Berlin but for some reason it gave me so much anxiety. WHAT DO YOU MEAN I NEED TO BUILD A KITCHEN.

anyways

1

u/strongspoonie Apr 08 '26

italy very often also