On 14 May 2006 06:01:46 -0700, "
wrote:

its the landlords problem, if he doesnt fix it tell him you cant pay
your rent and will see hm in small claimns court

In New York, renters cannot legally withhold rent payment unless they
can prove the landlord has violated the terms of the lease. If they
have a problem with the landlord that they can't resolve directly,
they need to report the landlord to the local health and building
inspection service. If health and building codes are shown to be in
violation on the property, then the renter can withhold rent, but only
with the reports in hand as documentation of proof.

Your advice would create more problems for the OP if OP is a New York
renter.