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August 7, 2009
Landlord Neglected Building
I live in a rental walk-up on Myrtle Ave. The common area of the building has been very neglected. It is always very dirty and stinky; there was a giant shower-like leak in the stairwell; the light bulbs aren't changed once they are burned out; and where there was a leak, which was "repaired" (it still drips often), there is a hole with mold-like colors, aside from nasty leak stains and random plaster chunks that fall out. The front door is also very hard to open, as it gets stuck. I have told my landlord various times about the plaster, leak, etc. But he doesn't clean the mess/residue nor fix the problem. How do I get him to fix this? Should I call someone to inspect the building? Is there somewhere I can report a neglected building? I can take more pictures and post them to show the situation. He just does not respond! Even after I told him that chunks of plaster were falling on me as I enter/exit the building. Does anyone have any idea on how I should handle this situation? I am paying good money for rent (my apartment inside is not bad), but the common area of the building is a disaster!
Comments
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Posted by: sjtmd at August 6, 2009 9:44 PM
sitmd: wtf? no, seriously. wtf?
Posted by: northsloperenter at August 6, 2009 10:43 PM
@diemond... Truly you should not be living in a building where the landlord obviously does not give a damn about the property,
because if he is taking time with repairing the common area imagine how long he would take with repairing anything in your apartment.
Just look for another apartment fast!
Posted by: mysideofstuy at August 6, 2009 10:53 PM
Diemond: start by reading the information on these two links and sublinks,
and by registering your complaint immediately with 311:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/tenants/tenants.shtml
http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/hmc/hmc.html
Also, this Tenant's Rights Guide from South Brooklyn Legal Services: http://www.sbls.org/index.php?id=79
Posted by: vinca at August 6, 2009 11:30 PM
Thanks so much for your help and replies. I know I shouldn't be putting up with this- but my finances are hurting a bit- so it's a bit hard to fund a new place, although I am still looking and maybe I'll get lucky. The thing is my apt. isn't bad at all- its just the common area that is the problem. And I really would like to do something about it cause this guy is a real douche and he's getting away with it. Thanks for the links, I hope to get informed so I can take action.
Posted by: diemond at August 7, 2009 12:31 AM
To be fair to sitmd - There was several postings last night for shoes from some Chinese spammer that have since been removed. I think he was posting the "Rules" on each of them and accidentally posted in this one as well.
Posted by: newsouthsloper at August 7, 2009 9:12 AM
it's a walk up rental on myrtle avenue. it's not the ritz-carlton. jeez. there's a reason why some buildings are cheap.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 7, 2009 9:51 AM
Ignore Rob's comment, as usual. Even if it's a walkup rental on Myrtle, you shouldn't have to dodge falling plaster and leaks on your way into your apartment. Call 311 and report the landlord. He should be required to maintain the building in a livable condition. He's clearly not doing that now.
Posted by: JIPS at August 7, 2009 10:15 AM
quote:
Ignore Rob's comment, as usual.\
why ignore my comment? it's just as valid as yours. fine, call 311 and get the building all fancy schmancey. then next year when your lease is up for renewal, guess what? you wont be able to afford it.
*rob*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at August 7, 2009 10:42 AM
Ignore it because it's smarmy and useless. He's not asking for "fancy schmancey". He's asking to avoid falling plaster and leaks. Those are health hazards and violations of code, not "lifestyle" issues. And it's illegal for the landlord to retaliate by jacking up the price.
Posted by: JIPS at August 7, 2009 10:54 AM
Quote from Rob: It's just as valid as yours.
Hmmm, I would disagree. The poster is asking for advice and yours is just stupid. Living in a dangerous situation is just not acceptable. Obviously this landlord is slumlord. Making much-needed repairs will not magically transform this building into a fancy-schmancy one.
Posted by: Kris at August 7, 2009 10:59 AM
Sorry, our posts crossed.
Posted by: Kris at August 7, 2009 11:01 AM
"The thing is my apt. isn't bad at all- its just the common area that is the problem."
Diemond, it's just a matter of time before your apartment, nice as it is, is affected by this neglect. You should really tackle this issue right away.
Posted by: GHB at August 7, 2009 2:04 PM
Years ago I lived on the LES and the bulbs were always burning out in the hallway of my 5th fl walk up. What finally solved it was when I called the landlord for the millionth time requesting that a bulb be replaced and said that I was worried someone visiting the building might hurt themselves and then sue the landlord.
A flourescent light was installed the next day.
Posted by: kramer at August 7, 2009 2:34 PM
Thanks again guys! I don't know why I hadn't posted anything sooner. I'm doing research and gaining the strength to stand up to him once more, maybe the suing scare will work ;) I know it's just a walkup, I don't have super high standards, and by no means would I want to live anywhere ritzy, but this place is a health hazard. The building is rent controlled so the rent can't possibly escalate too much- I'm under suspicion that I'm paying more than the other tenants anyways, which is maybe why they haven't voiced any complaints. My fear for reporting it to the Department of Housing is that I have to give my name- and if he finds out it was me, maybe he will be even sleazier. I wonder if anyone else has had a negative experience with this guy?
Posted by: diemond at August 7, 2009 5:46 PM
If it weren't for the NY rent laws, your landlord would make enough to hire a super and make the necessary repairs.
I suggest you petition the state and write your local rep suggest the rent laws be abolished. . .
Posted by: IronBalls at August 7, 2009 6:15 PM
The thing is- he is the super! And I know he has all the necessary tools and equipment he needs to make repairs because he runs True Value Hardware. The landlord is Albert Adami, but he resides in Florida, so the super is the one giving me problems, but he acts as the landlord in the absence of the actual one.
Posted by: diemond at August 7, 2009 6:20 PM
The City-Wide Task Force on Housing Court has an information table at Brooklyn Housing Court, where you can speak with someone in person. 141 Livingston Street, Room 202, M-F 9am to 12 noon. Or you can call them at 212-962-4795 or the Metropolitan Council on Housing at 212-979-0611. See also: http://www.cwtfhc.org/faq
Posted by: vinca at August 7, 2009 7:08 PM
"because he runs True Value Hardware."
"The landlord is Albert Adami."
Mind posting your info- since you effortlessly seem to spew that of others.
Posted by: Brooklynchimp at August 8, 2009 6:04 PM
He is in fact the landlord, as I previously mentioned. The situation is the following because he is not currently residing in NYC, so in the absence of the owner, the super is the one taking responsibility of all matters concerning the building. I am sure that if Adami were here, he would know the situation and would fix it, but in his absence things have gotten out of control
Posted by: diemond at August 9, 2009 1:58 PM
"I am sure that if Adami were here, he would know the situation and would fix it, but in his absence things have gotten out of control"
Cut out the middleman and send the landlord a certified letter with pictures.
Posted by: jack slade at August 9, 2009 7:10 PM
OP mentions, "The building is rent controlled . . ."
Possibilities:
1. This happened to a friend in a rent controlled building -- the landlord purposely let things happen so the tenants would move and the rent-control status would be removed. (This isn't legal but some people find a way.)
2. When one can't get response from owner who lives far away: the landlord may be having troubles of his/her own and not dealing with business right now. We had once instance of this where the "super" was drinking and not taking care of the absent owner's business. The landlord had personal problems and was in no position to check on the super.
3. About lightbulbs -- we also had an instance where light bulbs were disappearing. Drug dealing tenants were removing them so light would not shine on their activities.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 9, 2009 8:55 PM
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