Oh, and it does involve parts of their unit as well, but not as much.

Posted by: Artdis at August 4, 2009 8:18 PM in response to Tenant demanding compensation

Thanks for all your comments. They pay their own heat. This is what the lead person in the argument said. It sound bizarre to me, but its real and they mean it.

this is about one simple thing. nobody likes their domestic tranquility and security to be invaded. it doesn't matter who is in the house or who has what work or sleep schedule. the rent is payed and the tenants don't deserve hassle without compensation. it is a simple issue. it is a gesture on your part. you said you will be getting thousands of dollars of free work done through the Weatherization Program, and saving a lot of money on bills way into the future. your property value goes up, your have more to boast when soliciting renters (super energy efficient and warm place), etc. you are essentially being gifted such a huge miracle of a free bonus and it boggles my mind that you would not be willing to cut a small break to your renters who are being inconvenienced by your good fortune. compared to what you stand to gain, this is marginal for any renter in the house.

Posted by: Artdis at August 4, 2009 8:16 PM in response to Tenant demanding compensation

Thanks so much everyone, this forum is great and confirming my own research. I happened to call one plumber who recommended these guys in Jamaica who seem great, and quoted a ball park $2500 http://www.balkanplumbing.com/services.html
They also have good photos on their website and also quoted a one day turn around.

I had some plumbers quoting me $4800 and up, its quite amazing. Plus fortunately I am on the same side as the fire hydrant, which really makes a big difference. Also a DOB permit has to be pulled and they do it without a hitch.

Posted by: Artdis at April 6, 2009 11:33 PM in response to Replace street supply water pipe

Low Talker you are great and so deeply helpful. The violation said it was because it was in an R6 Zone. I don't have my C of O because there is not one, but Finance bills me as a 2 Family, which I am. When was the resolution passed about driveways? Also I bought the property this way. The house dates from 1923 and I suspect the driveway has been here since the previous owners who had it almost 30 years. Do you present this stuff at a hearing? When you say "considerations" who makes them. I mean it was such a shock to get this violation.

Posted by: Artdis at February 9, 2009 8:36 PM in response to ECB Violatiion Private Driveway

Many of these driveways in Brooklyn were cut in without permits. I'm sure that you have no way to tell if the prior owner installed it one year before you purchased the house or if it had been there for decades.

With parking being so tough all over and people ignoring the law and placing curb cuts where ever and when ever they want, I'm glad to hear that the ECB is finally doing something better than ignoring the violations.

That being said, if I were you, I would try to establish the fact that the driveway had been there before you purchased the house (as far back as you can).

Between 1939 and 1941 all houses in NYC were photographed. Copies of these photos can be purchased here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/html/taxphotos/home.shtml

If you can establish that the driveway/curb cut had been there, you might get the violation dismissed as a 'grandfathered' driveway there before the 1962 zoning resolution.

Posted by: SenatorStreet at February 10, 2009 11:18 AM in response to ECB Violatiion Private Driveway

Zoning text is available here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zonetext.shtml
There’s an illustration of driveway regulations at this link:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/sigrowth/driv_curb_parking_rules.pdf

Posted by: vinca at February 10, 2009 11:38 AM in response to ECB Violatiion Private Driveway

This is an example of the 'New" buildings department....lots of summons issued.

Posted by: smeyer418 at February 10, 2009 6:17 PM in response to ECB Violatiion Private Driveway

If the violation is a class 3 and there is a cure date on it, then if you comply within that period there will not be a penalty for the violation. There is also a possibility to stipulate for a lower penalty if you need more time.
Good luck

Posted by: consultmbr at February 11, 2009 11:33 AM in response to ECB Violatiion Private Driveway

doesn't the title search bring up the curb cut?

Posted by: bqe1970 at February 11, 2009 7:53 PM in response to ECB Violatiion Private Driveway

Who ever does the job has to pull a DOB permit or they loose their license, it only takes a few days so that is not a big deal and certainly not a bargaining chip. Most people who do this job are trying to remove a violation from the city under a time limit. The permit thing has to do with them, not you. They are the ones breaking up the street.
Replacing the actual water main is only a one day job no matter who does it. For a few hours you won't have water, it is no big deal. They come back the next day and fill up the hole they left.

In the end, go with the cheapest who is not a fly by night company. They take out the lead one out and put in the 3/4 copper one. There is no aesthetics involved. I was told that a one inch pipe is a waste on a 2 family and not to bother, stick with the 3/4 inch.
I also got these crazy quotes that were all over the place. Maybe because I was a pregnant woman who looked like she didn't know any better? I mean seriously the shit they were telling me was unbelievable. Trying to qualify a ridiculous price saying that it was the cost of copper that is through the roof. I actually told that idiot that if that was the case then I would happily give him all my coffee cans of loose change to melt down.

Posted by: bqe1970 at April 7, 2009 12:04 AM in response to Replace street supply water pipe

I got quotes from Balkan, for me they were one of the highest along with Main Man. $2500 sounds great. I reread your initial posting, with a double duplex you may want to see if you need a one inch pipe or not.

Posted by: bqe1970 at April 7, 2009 12:17 AM in response to Replace street supply water pipe

Oh, and it does involve parts of their unit as well, but not as much.

Posted by: Artdis at August 4, 2009 8:18 PM in response to Tenant demanding compensation

Art, this person sounds psychotic. I'd worry if I were you.

Is this the first time they've acted this way? They seriously have way too much to say.

Posted by: jack slade at August 5, 2009 12:11 AM in response to Tenant demanding compensation

As a renter I have to say these renters are full of it. It's an improvement to the house- if the windows were drafty or broken and had to be replaced, would they be trying to squeeze money out of you? I don't think so.

To the best of my knowledge, rent reductions are for faulty conditions- holes in the wall, vermin, ceiling falling down. Things that make an apartment uninhabitable according to the terms of the lease. But 2 weeks worth of some extra noise or some supposed inconvenience to make improvements that will be beneficial to them as well as you? I'd love to hear the Housing court judge on that one. He'll be laughing a long time.

the other point is, its your house, your investment. Since when are tenants entitled to a bonus because you are taking care of your investment?

Posted by: bxgrl at August 5, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Tenant demanding compensation