March 18, 2010

Illegal Renovations?

My landlord moved walls and gutted the two rental apartments below mine. He never posted any work permits and I doubt they existed. I think he also changed the number of bedrooms [from 2 to 3]

How do I find out what is approved and not approved? I want to know for curiosity and because I've occasionally had trouble with him, and want to have info in case I need it for the future...

March 17, 2010

Ceiling Water Damage

This past weekend's storm caused water to somehow infiltrate the building's exterior and find its way to vulnerabilities in my ceiling of two rooms.

One room leaked for almost 14 hours, losing plaster, sagging is still smelly and wet. The damage is extensive.

The second room, the water never broke the surface of the ceiling or high walls, but visible wet stains built up and are still visible. This room also smells now and the apartment has an obvious increase in moisture.

My landlord said that nothing on the interior would be done until the exterior issue was solved and everything dried correctly from exterior to interior. Earlier that day the super said the contractors wouldn't be able to do anything until the weather changes for the better (seasonally).

I told my landlord about worries of mildew forming and of the smell. I work from home and this is cause for worry and discomfort.

All he replied was that I should look into a room deodorizer.

I feel like as a renter I am lacking some knowledge about some rights I have here. Some people have told me not to pay rent, others to try and get rent reduced.

Does anybody have insight into this? The landlord is traditionally stingy and lazy. I feel like I could be looking at months here of dirty, broken and smelly ceilings with mildew eventually forming.

Thanks in advance.

March 16, 2010

Breaking Lease because of Lead

We just learned that our daughter has been exposed to lead paint in our apartment. We were going to move when our lease expired at the end of May but after today's testing we want to move immediately. In essence we will be breaking our lease. We've always been on good terms with our landlord but I'm afraid we will lose our deposit. We care more about getting out of this space but the deposit is a fair chunk of change.

Of the 44 surfaces that were tested by the city, 11 came back positive for lead paint. Our daughter was tested and has been exposed. We'd like to move within the next two weeks.

Any thoughts? Should we not expect to get our $$ back? It won't keep us in the apt but we will be better able to budget knowing whether to expect the deposit.

March 3, 2010

Suggested Rent?

Hi everyone, my family and I are moving overseas and are planning on renting our condo. Can you help me determine what is market rent? Our condo is located on Garfield near 5th Avenue, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths. It is 1150 square feet. Has a full washer/dryer in unit. Elevator building. Unit has a 150 square foot terrace (it is a set-back roof from a lower floor) with door from living room opening to terrace. Full of windows with lots of light. Newer construction with stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, nice hardware including ceiling fan in living room. In-wall air conditioners included. Heat and gas included in rent. In PS 321. What would you charge for renting this place?

February 8, 2010

Lease Agreement Forms?

Can anyone point me to a good source online for creating a residential lease agreement. We are about to sign a lease with our first tenant for one of our apartments. Also, beyond the obvious things (lead disclosure, pet policy, no alterations, utilities responsible for, no smoking, sublease agreement) is there anything that landlords out there recommend including in the lease?

Thanks!

PTF

February 4, 2010

landlord issues

I have been living in my rental for almost five years. I haven't had a lease for the past two because, when I renegotiated my rent, my landlord never provided one. I tried to get one, trust me, I tried.

My landlord is from Guyana so I respect that there are cultural differences. However, I'm at my wit's end.

- he doesn't come to make repairs when he says he will

- when he does come to make repairs, it's usually unscheduled

- he uses his brother-in-law for repairs and has said that the man can't be in my apartment alone because he steals

- we have had to deal with no heat off and on all winter because his electrician doesn't have a cell and the landlord has admitted he has no clue how to work the boiler

- what repairs are done are shoddy and ugly so I pick my battles when it comes to fixing things in my apartment

I have tried bringing these issues, and many many more to his attention but they fall on deaf ears. The other tenants just accepts this so I'm the only one standing up for myself.

I've kept thorough written records and pictures to cover my butt. I've submitted two anonymous no heat requests (there are only four apartments in the building so I didn't want to call myself out) to 311.

Is there anything else that I can do? Or is it time for me to accept that I unfortunately have a crappy landlord and either deal or move?

January 30, 2010

Who Pays After Pipe Bursts

If a pipe bursts in a rental apartment, who pays for damage to furniture, rugs, etc.? The tenant is uninsured and the landlord is NYCHA.

January 26, 2010

Section 8 Rules

Hello Brownstoners,

Is it illegal to NOT rent to section 8 vouchers holders if you own a 4 family building?

Thx

January 14, 2010

Washer Setting

A question for landlords who supply washer/dryers. Is your washing maching set for only cold water use or both hot and cold. Asking for cost reasons of course.

January 7, 2010

Eviction Questions

Interested in others thoughts. On the day of eviction:

Question 1. Do we need someone licensed to change the locks in the presence of the marshall or can we do them ourselves ?

2. what happens if the tenant leaves any of their belongings ? Can we just throw away. it's not clear to me.

Thanks.

Forum: Landlord