Forum Archive: Posts by: Longstreet

Three different inspectors have come on four different days using the same complaint number (from a month ago) to try to find more. What do lawyers call this?

And this morning, I made the inspector call into the DOB to see if she could understand the person who answered. She could not. We left yet another message. 5th this week for me. What are my options?
At what point does this “procedure” become harassment?
The original subject complaint had nothing to do with the violations I received.

As a side note – she said that last week she, “might have missed something!” As if. . . .
Jeeeeeezz!

So this may be old news or new news, but I thought I’d share it anyway. The DOB is now leaving RED printed notices Taped to your door (hit and run style) that state ” Failure to comply with this notice may result in the department obtaining an access warrant authorizing the inspection of the premises.”
My neighbor received a violation for his tree house, of all things, NOT the subject of the original complaint, which was bogus besides.
If they get in they will find anything to site you. If they don’t get in, and there is an anonymous complaint they will now get a warrant.
Does this sound Right!? or are they really short of cash these days.

I need some serious advice and direction – after this brief rant!
I stupidly let a DOB inspector into my basement (I know!) on a bogus work without a permit complaint (yes, I have an enemy in my house-long story) but I had nothing to hid, or so I thought. When we bought the house from a “contractor/developer” whatever work was in progress was stopped, “duh, I’m dumping the house”, I get that part. “Developer” does it by the books, permits? yes, we checked. Inspections – OK, Bank – OK, DOB (as far as I know) – OK! Years later now I have someone elses (“developer”) unfinished business as my violation. No one is truely honest any more.

The Inspector was also on a fishing trip and sited all sorts of things that have been a certain way for years, so someone sent them on a mission and I let the enemy into my house. I cannot tell you how angry this makes me and how stupid I feel. So beware. Lesson learned.

So, can anyone clue me in on what I do now? I’m just a normal schmo. Some of the things I can fix myself, some of the things I will need someone professional, so that’s all OK (sort of) Its the “get a permit” to finish work that may or may not be legal part that I need the most advice on.
Do I need an architect, an engineer, a permit pulling person? who?
Thanks!