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July 10, 2008

Cablevisions

Cablevision just nailed cables and boxes into 4 buildings on our street, without the property owners permission. All are owner occupied small apartment buildings and have been repointed in the last 2 years Has anyone had experience with this? Or know where we can find out our rights and their responsibilities?

June 6, 2008

Converting a 6 unit to 5

We are trying to convert 2 units into one on the top floor of a 3 story, 6 apartment building. Does anyone have advice or recommendations? We are on a tight budget and timeline. Thanks

Author's Comments

We would be interested in a housekeeper in Bushwick, as well.
Thank you

Posted by: BR at June 14, 2008 10:34 AM in response to Looking for a cleaning lady

They are coming back tomorrow morning. They did not need access, just threw the work on the front of the building. We would have been happy to allow access to the back. They also drilled through the brick for access to one of the apartments the week after we had the building repointed.
There is no online information, that I can find. If anyone knows where to find that online, please post the address. Thank you

Posted by: BR at July 10, 2008 1:27 PM in response to Cablevisions

Update:
Cablevision did not show up for there scheduled appointment this morning. There are 4 property owners on the block that were defaced and want the wiring put in the back.

Posted by: BR at July 11, 2008 11:49 AM in response to Cablevisions

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

Call the buildings lawyer and ask him/her to do a search on who has any easements on the property.

Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 2:08 PM in response to Cablevisions

Guest @ 2:08 is the winner.

Posted by: Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy at July 10, 2008 2:16 PM in response to Cablevisions

Do easements have to be filed in ACRIS or another DOB-type online database that can be searched?

Posted by: Mr Joist at July 10, 2008 2:32 PM in response to Cablevisions

Telecom laws allow cable companies easement over all properties.

Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 3:44 PM in response to Cablevisions

I did find this in the agreement between NYC and verizon:

5.5.2. Access: The phrase “Franchisee’s inability, after good faith efforts, to
obtain valid legal authority” as used herein shall be understood in the context, where applicable,
of the legal obligations of landlords under Section 228 of the New York State Public Service
Law (“Section 228”), or any successor provision of like effect, and therefore in instances in
which the Franchisee believes that a landlord is in violation of Section 228, Franchisee is
obligated to provide such landlord with notice of Section 228 and the legal obligations imposed
upon such landlord pursuant thereto and pursue remedies available thereunder as appropriate in
Franchisee’s judgment, acting reasonably.
5.5.2.1. Additional Procedures: Beginning July 1, 2012, in each case in
which the Franchisee needs to obtain access to the property in response to a request for Cable
Service where the FTTP Network has been deployed and the VSO is opened for sales,
Franchisee shall undertake (and document in written form) the following steps within the
following time periods:
5.5.2.1.1. Send promptly (but in no event later than thirty (30)
days after receipt of a request for Cable Service) to the property owner or managing agent notice
of its intent to wire for Cable Service;
5.5.2.1.2. Attempt to negotiate a survey date and wiring
method with the property owner or agent;
5.5.2.1.3. If not yet successful in obtaining access, send a
second (2nd) notice of intent to wire including specific reference to Franchisee’s access rights,
and attempt to wire;
5.5.2.1.4. If the property owner or agent prevents wiring,
request assistance from the Commissioner and/or the PSC; and
5.5.2.1.5. If access is not provided within one hundred and
eighty (180) days of the first notice to the property owner or agent of intention to wire, file a
petition pursuant to 16 NYCRR § 898.4 seeking an order for entry to the property.- you can get the search results for cable company easments

Posted by: bxgrl at July 10, 2008 5:11 PM in response to Cablevisions

Cablevision has a franchise with the City, and the ground rules for access to properties with renters are spelled out in federal law. Local municipalities and landlords cannot unreasonably interfere with a residents "choice" in receiving cable that is offerred / available. Write an email to the commissioner of DOITT
www.nyc.gov/doitt

Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 9:55 PM in response to Cablevisions

But don't they still have to give a homeowner notice of the work. I thought that was what bxgrl was posting from the agreement.

Posted by: guest at July 11, 2008 12:01 AM in response to Cablevisions

Update:
Cablevision did not show up for there scheduled appointment this morning. There are 4 property owners on the block that were defaced and want the wiring put in the back.

Posted by: BR at July 11, 2008 11:49 AM in response to Cablevisions

I'd make a few calls to your council person, too. This is an ongoing issue (our landlord flipped after we had cable put in -- I was a little surprised that the guy just showed up and started drilling)

We also (I have a good relationship with my landlord and didn't want to jeopardize it so he's been part of the process since then) had to argue a lot with Cablevision to convince them to leave our cable where it is. It runs from the box next door, which is right at the property line anyway and both owners are content (mostly -- my landlord would like to see zero cables). They wanted to put a box on our building, too. Why? He looked me in the eye and said "something can happen. what if this building here burns down, then what???"

Seriously. Hi, if the brick building next door burns to the ground we've got bigger problems. We'll cross that bridge when we never come to it.

Posted by: guest at July 11, 2008 12:38 PM in response to Cablevisions

I BET THEY DONT DO THAT IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS

Posted by: guest at July 11, 2008 10:58 PM in response to Cablevisions