Painting Hallway


Hi everyone,

Well, my tenants have done a number on my hallways. They carry their bikes up and down from the third floor, so the walls are covered with grease marks and tire tread imprints. They also managed to take chunks out of the sheet rock.

I need to repaint the hallways. Can anyone recommend the following:

1. Good colors and paints so that the grease and tire tread marks can be cleaned easily.

2. Any other creative ideas to mitigate this issue.

3. A good painter.

Many thanks!

Categories: Painting
By Flatbushdemata | 08/13/2010 2:37 PM | Comment

Question About Repainting Apartments in Building


I have a quick question.

I have a three-unit building (not rent stabilized). Am I required to repaint my tenants’ apartments? If so, how often must I do this?

Thanks!

Categories: Landlord
By Flatbushdemata | 07/12/2010 1:45 PM | Comment

Leak from Roof


I have a flat roof. The leak starts in the ceiling alongside the wall I share with my next door neighbor and progresses along the tape that connects the ceiling sheet rock. The roofer that did the roof (2005) insists that it isn’t the roof but a pipe that lies along the party wall. The pipe was broken, so my next door neighbor had it fixed (with an elbow so it faces down; it isn’t blocked off completely in case it does some kind of ventilation). The water only drips from the ceiling. The walls are dry . Any ideas? Any references for roofers that know what they are doing? Many thanks!

Categories: Roofers
By Flatbushdemata | 03/13/2010 11:04 PM | Comment

Question about Refi


After months of wrangling with the bank, I am cleared to close on my refinance.

Here is my question: do I need a lawyer to come with me to closing? I have done all of this without a lawyer, but I am nervous about an August surprise.

Also, do I tip the title person?

Thanks!

By Flatbushdemata | 07/28/2009 2:05 PM | Comment

Refinancing Question


I am thinking about refinancing and would like to know a little bit more about the process.

I will probably go with the same lender.

Here are my questions:
1. Will the closing costs be as high as the ones for purchasing?
2. Do I need a lawyer?
3. Will there be a face-to-face closing or will this be done by mail, fax, and e-mail?
4. What kind of documentation will I need?
5. What kind of funds will I have to have in my bank account?

Many thanks for answers!

By Flatbushdemata | 03/18/2009 3:17 PM | Comment

Water Heater Size


What size water heater would you recommend for a three unit/three bathroom building? There are six adults and one long-showering teenaged girl in residence. I have a 75 gallon capacity heater now, but the hot water seems to be running out too often for anyone’s comfort. Thanks!

Categories: Plumbing
By Flatbushdemata | 02/23/2009 7:47 PM | Comment

Tenants Driving Me Crazy


Okay, I admit this is venting, but here goes: I inherited tenants when I bought my building. They have a while to go on their lease and a very low rent.

Man, do they complain! I keep the heat at a reasonable temperature at night (65 degrees or so), start it very early (5am) and switch to night late (midnight). I get a screaming call from the tenant, who tells me he isn’t going to take it any more because it is freezing in his apartment. He plans to put a heater in the apartment, which is against the lease.

The wife complains about how cheap everything is (admittedly not high-end, but not bad and they pay next to nothing), how much noise the tenants above them make (they exercise in the afternoon, during her nap in the living room, where she sleeps instead of the bedroom) and curses at me, if she even bothers to say hello. They have changed the lock and not given me a key. The police have shown up twice due to fights with their teenaged daughter and the have screamed at me and the third-floor tenants for calling the police (we didn’t call the police; the teenaged daughter did). And the scream and scream and scream at each other!

Oy vey! What a handful. Any advice about how to smooth things over for the duration of their lease?

By Flatbushdemata | 01/06/2009 9:37 AM | Comment

Dry well installation


I am thinking of installing a dry well to take some of the roof run-off during heavy rains (the pipes can’t handle all of the run-off, so I flood).

Any one do this? Any recommendations for contractors? Any sense of the cost?

Thanks!

Categories: Waterproofing
By Flatbushdemata | 07/25/2008 2:33 PM | Comment

Conversion


I have a three family house, where I reside along with two tenants. I am interested in taking over one of the rental apartments, so that I will have a duplex that can accommodate a growing family. The C of O is a three family. Forgive my ignorance, but do I have to change it to a two family, especially if I plan on converting it back to a three family at some point (say when I retire and need additional rental income, which will, admittedly, be many years from now). Thanks for the advice!

Categories: C of O
By Flatbushdemata | 07/23/2008 10:18 AM | Comment

Caulking a hatch


Hi everyone,

I am writing for some advice about sealing the hatch that leads into my basement. The hatch covers the stairs to the basement. These stairs lead to a small vestibule that has a door that opens into my basement and is right below my small stoop (I have more of a tenement building than a brownstone). I noticed yesterday that the concrete ceiling (which is also the bottom of the stoop) looks like it is about to fall down, because of water damage and dampness.
Here are my questions:
1. What should I use to caulk the hatch so that water doesn’t seep through?
2. What kind of concrete do I use to redo the concrete on the walls and ceiling in the vestibule?
3. Does anyone have any creative ideas about venting given that I have a hatch and given that the stoop is so small that there isn’t room for venting from there?
4. Can I do this or should I hire someone? How much would something like this cost

Many thanks?

Categories: Waterproofing
By Flatbushdemata | 05/27/2008 11:26 AM | Comment