This simple answer is yes as you have probably gathered from the other answers. In Orange County, like the rest of NY a landlord or leaseholder who...

Who can i inform about a person blackmailing me?

This is best handled by Australian authorities. Because you are afraid to return home, contact the Australian Embassy here in the US and ask for...

Can a utility company charge me for the past 13 months because they claim the meter was malfunctioning?

Having spent 18 years in the utility consulting business, I have seen many disputes with the water utility in jurisdictions across the country....

Can I increase rent due to major improvement needed due to tenant use?

I would need to read your lease. What I can suggest, since the lease apparently requires them to pay for plumbing repairs, is that you warn them...