If an apartment suffers from failures violating housing maintenance code like malfunctioning electrical issues, lead risks, vermin/insect infestations, extreme mold growth or prolonged lack of essential services like heat and hot water, tenants should immediately formally notify landlords in writing as well as contacting housing authorities if imminent health threats exist, rather than attempting makeshift resident repairs. Taking well-documented evidence proving uninhabitable circumstances helps support claims when filing complaints compelling owners addressing dire lapses through professional mitigation services, hotel stays or temporary relocations ending negligent behavior violating statutes protecting tenant welfare. However, always seek cooperation first before pursuing legal actions.