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Water heater burst on 2/20/25 (2:30–3:30 AM), flooding first floor and basement; water leaked through 8–10 basement light fixtures. Filed 311/HPD complaints on 2/20 (10:30 AM) and again on 2/28 for hazardous conditions and failure to fix. On 3/14/25, landlord’s agent threatened legal action for nonpayment right after my complaints — looks like retaliation under RPL §223-b. Mitigation was late: one dehumidifier delivered 3/19 (27 days after flood). Inspection 4/4 — Category 3 water, full tear-out/sanitization needed. HPD hearing moved to 4/28 due to court error. Landlord offered early termination if I vacated by 5/31 (4/9). Mold tested 4/22 — significant contamination, immediate remediation advised. I had already vacated. I escrowed April/May rent due to uninhabitable conditions and pending HPD action. 4/30: I requested immediate termination, full deposit return, $550 mold inspection reimbursement.5/6: Landlord offered lease termination (return keys by 5 PM), $900 off April (incl. $550 reimbursement), no clarity on deposit.5/6: I asked for written confirmation: immediate termination, no further rent, full deposit, waiver of April for habitability violations.5/6: Landlord replied: lease ends when keys returned by 5/7 noon; $2,675 still owed for April (after $900 waiver); deposit returned only after inspection. Key Issues:• Retaliation (RPL §223-b).• Habitability (RPL §235-b).• Security deposit not confirmed.• Rent withheld in good faith; landlord still demanding post-move-out rent. Is their offer worth it? Lease runs to September; I planned to continue withholding.

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