Tensions, Questions Remain about Loft Laws
You may remember in June when Loft Laws were passed in three of Brooklyn’s industrial zones, giving tenants the option of rent stabilization and forcing landlords to bring loft buildings up to code. Bushwick BK revisits the topic, touching upon some questions brought up in a recent town hall meeting. While landlords have six months…
You may remember in June when Loft Laws were passed in three of Brooklyn’s industrial zones, giving tenants the option of rent stabilization and forcing landlords to bring loft buildings up to code. Bushwick BK revisits the topic, touching upon some questions brought up in a recent town hall meeting. While landlords have six months to register illegally converted lofts with the city, no one knows how much money it will cost to bring buildings up to code or how much of that cost can be passed along to tenants. Attorney David Frazer commented, “It’s going to be very costly to legalize…The easiest way to do that is to get rid of tenants, and you’re going to have to start looking for ways to protect yourself.” There was also concern loft laws would drive out manufacturing in the area, but Loft Board Member Chuck DeLaney retorted that, “Having you here is a lot better for manufacturing than having the people who would replace you through gentrification.”
One Month Later, Loft Law Confusion Reigns [BushwickBK]
New Loft Law Passed [Brownstoner]
Picture by Jeremy Sapienza for BushwickBK.com
Heather’s warning was one always gave. East New York is down.
you have wood shops in east willie side by side with children and parents…. not good
Historically these loft landlords and tenants have taken a Machiavellian approach to the NYC real estate market, creating relatively cheap housing alternatives(tenants) and profits (landlords). Along the way, both sides have rather blatantly and willingly broken the law. There are no innocent parties here.
Lofts were never that cheap — at least not in my time.
Pretty much everyone I knew in Wiliamsburg who used to have a loft paid more in rent per square foot than I did at he time for my legal apartment. Furthermore, they usually had to put in their own kitchens.
And all of them have since been evicted.
Artists and loft dwellers first rung of gentrification ladder. Drive out cheap commercial tenant and 6 dollar space for businesses when people do live/work, which is not permitted by law. Big effective on small creative craft tenants, who will be pushed out by this law and when condo market comes back in 2012 there will be sweep out of tenants from No- BKLYN
Wine Lover – if it wasn’t for artists in illegal lofts in North Brooklyn (past and present) – your shiny new condo wouldn’t exist.
everyone should have to follow the law! lawlessness breeds more lawlessness. either it’s commercial or it isn’t. the end!
feeding money to these lawbreaking landlords gives them money to develop properties that they then don’t follow the laws in the construction of new developments. if you’re an artist that rents illegally, then don’t be surprised when a condo you don’t like pops up next door to you – you paid for it!
renters – if you are not a commercial biz, stop renting in a commercial space. you are not special, and your needs to not give you the right to break the law.
unethical, corrupt people – both the landlords and the tenants.