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November 21, 2007
Shady Inspectors
I'm an owner of a 3 family in Bed Stuy and my top floor tenants notified me that someone came to the house representing themself as an agent of some city child protective service. When the tenant let the rep in to "inspect" their newborns crib and sleeping arrangement, the rep switched and began inspecting their window guards and noting that there was some construction being done on my botttom floor, for which i didnt pull permits. A month later, i get a notice from the city saying i had 5 days to get my window guards installed properly. Two days ago, my calls me to say that the same rep calls her on her cell saying that they are outside and want to inspect the window guards, and if they dont get in that they will keep calling her. i called them yesterday posing as my tenants husband to ask them to stop harrassing my wife and that our window guards were in. they told me that i was breaking the law and that if i don't allow them access, they would fine me. Other than a court order, is there a law that forces the city access to a home? As the owner, even though my window guards are in, i dont want any city people snooping around looking for anything unless its the law. Does any know my rights?
Comments
sounds like you should have got permits for that construction.
Posted by: guest at November 21, 2007 7:22 AM
ACS doesn't fine people. You might look at their City ID to see what agency they are from.
Posted by: guest at November 21, 2007 8:27 AM
Definitely check out their IDs and confirm what agency they're from. Never let unidentified people into your home, and tell the tenant the same.
Posted by: guest at November 21, 2007 10:49 AM
Call 311 and ask how to report the harassment. Tell your tenants not to let anyone in who isn't with a cop. Tell your tenant not to give her cell number to anyone she doesn't want calling her and then block the 'inspectors' incoming calls.
Posted by: guest at November 21, 2007 11:44 AM
File a complaint with each agency.
Maybe 311 can help you get the forms.
The bad part is acs does not have to divulge who filed a complaint against you.
The complainers name is kept confidential.
Malicious people usually file complaints against the innocent.
They are always right and you are always wrong.
Anything dealing with the city is a headache.
Good Luck.
Posted by: Ysabelle at November 21, 2007 12:24 PM
File a complaint with each agency.
Maybe 311 can help you get the forms.
The bad part is acs does not have to divulge who filed a complaint against you.
The complainers name is kept confidential.
Malicious people usually file complaints against the innocent.
They are always right and you are always wrong.
Anything dealing with the city is a headache.
Good Luck.
Posted by: Ysabelle at November 21, 2007 12:24 PM
please forward my response to the tenant.
This way they can make up their own mind, how they want to proceed.
Secrets are bad news.
Yes, I am also a landlord.
Posted by: Ysabelle at November 21, 2007 1:24 PM
I as at a home owners night in bushwick a couple weeks ago and learned that:
The Dept. of Health has a program in Bushwick, Bed Stuy and another neighborhood I cannot remember. They use hospital birth records to find and visit new mothers. They also note any conditions which appear unsafe for baby and report them to the appropriate agency.
Posted by: guest at November 21, 2007 3:33 PM
Sounds like a good reason not to rent to new mothers!!!
Posted by: guest at November 21, 2007 9:13 PM
Which would be illegal. Install the windrow guards. Let the inspectors in. Or sell.
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at November 21, 2007 9:36 PM
If the city doesn't protect children enough, then get criticized, if they go too far in protecting children they get criticized.
I agree, just get the window guards installed properly. Why risk a lawsuit if a child falls out? Much less the heartache over such a horrible thing, of course.
Posted by: guest at November 23, 2007 4:20 PM
You are right about the bed-stuy program. As a new mother of a few days I had a knock on the door from a woman who came to "see if I needed any help". I ended up talking to her about the program at length because I was so suprised and found out that they 1) bring a welcome baby gift/full diaper bag and coupons 2) set you up with services you may need (food stamps, lactation help, etc) 3) survey the surroundings and look for hazards 4) ask you questions to make sure you and baby are not in an abusive situation 5) make sure the building is compliant with codes so baby doesn't get hurt (window guards, lead paint etc.) - It was fascinating and overall I left feeling like big brother was watching, but ultimately in a good way that might help a lot of new moms.
Posted by: guest at November 25, 2007 11:54 AM
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