joe - i listened from my itunes library. The note she's singing "heart" 1:00 in to don't know why - it's a B flat, and I think she pretty much nailed the intonation. Maybe you need to get your ears tuned.

http://www.lala.com/#album/576742227317248405/Norah_Jones/Come_Away_With_Me

And I think Kind of Blue is still the top selling jazz album of all time. Not sure what Miles Davis record sales has to do with Norah Jones.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 19, 2009 4:25 PM in response to LPC Will Not Reconsider Norah Jones Decision

I have to agree with Nomi. Joe the Bummer "...musicians must have been friends, not professionals..." is no jazz expert that's for sure. Anyway Norah Jones is a jazz influenced pop singer and the CD may not be to your taste, but check the players.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 19, 2009 1:55 PM in response to LPC Will Not Reconsider Norah Jones Decision

I believe you can shop around to refinance, but if rates are similar among lenders it may be less hassle to stay with the same one. You want a CEMA to avoid paying mortgage recording tax on the loan balance being refinanced. (You will pay mortgage tax on cash out / new money borrowed). It may depend on the existing lender. Talk to Adam or other mortgage broker. See previous thread ...
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/09/mortgage_tax_on.php

Posted by: Bklnite at November 18, 2009 12:20 PM in response to Mortgage Broker Recommendation

So, from Puppimus, 1 vote for you'd be a jerky landlord.

From my reading of the page I linked to above, OP as an owner of a 2 family house could do what he's suggesting. For an owner of a building with 3 or more dwellings it might be unenforceable.

"..In The New York State Multiple Dwelling Law...
Vermin are specifically mentioned in Section 80 which states in part:
§ 80. Cleanliness. 1. The owner shall keep all and every part of a multiple dwelling, the lot on which it is situated, and the roofs, yards, courts, passages, areas or alleys appurtenant thereto, clean and free from vermin, dirt, filth, garbage or other thing or matter dangerous to life or health.

My reading of this is clear, in a building of three or more apartments, the landlord is responsible for the eradication of bed bug infestations. If the infestation is caused by the tenant’s negligence, however, then the tenant is also responsible.
...
What constitutes tenant negligence? I don’t know. But unfortunately it’s not hard to imagine plausible scenarios. An interesting question, given the language of the statute, is whether the landlord is still responsible for bed bug eradication despite any tenant liability for negligence.

The NYS Multiple Dwelling Law seems clear and straightforward enough.

The New York City Housing Maintenance Code

The New York City Housing Maintenance Code, contrary to popular belief, applies to all dwellings, see Article 1, Section 27-2003. Confusion may have arisen because Section 27-2005 provides that:

Sec. 27-2005 Duties of owner

a. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall keep the premises in good repair.

b. The owner of a multiple dwelling, in addition to the duty imposed upon such owner by subdivision a of this section, shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of this code, except insofar as responsibility for compliance is imposed upon the tenant alone.

c. The owner of a one- or two-family dwelling shall keep the premises in good repair, and shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this code, except to the extent otherwise agreed between such owner and any tenant of such dwelling by lease or other contract in writing, or except insofar as responsibility for compliance with this code is imposed upon the tenant alone.

My reading of this is that in the case of a one- or two-family dwelling there may be a (written) lease that assigns certain repair and maintenance responsibilities to the tenant."

Posted by: Bklnite at November 16, 2009 4:39 PM in response to Bedbug Clause in Lease?

I'm no expert, but posters saying it's illegal or unenforceable may be thinking that would be the case if you were renewing a lease for a rent stabilized tenant, but that's not OP's situation renting out I assume 1 floor of a 2 family home.

I'd be curious to know how multiple dwelling law views the question. A search on the google turned up something possibly useful...
http://newyorkvsbedbugs.org/2009/07/13/bed-bugs-and-the-law-in-new-york-city/

Posted by: Bklnite at November 16, 2009 4:19 PM in response to Bedbug Clause in Lease?

Broker listing says "Asking: 950K(NEG)"
That tells me they don't expect anything close to ask, and they'd probably be thrilled to beat the widget.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 16, 2009 4:06 PM in response to House of the Day: 685 St. Johns Place

A related question. Assuming OP is in a rental apartment -where is the line between what the tenant & what the landlord is responsible to deal with?

It's in the tenant's self interest to avoid getting eaten by bedbugs, but LL doesn't want a problem that could spread between apartments. What's NYC law say?

Posted by: Bklnite at November 16, 2009 2:38 PM in response to Bed Bug Question

DIBS,
I was thinking of a new dirt devil vacuum as the xmas gift, but heck, yeah I could throw in the basin wrench as a stocking stuffer.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 13, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

Over the years we have (or I should say my wife has) replaced several kitchen and bathroom faucets in our homes, without the help of that tool. Next time, I think I'll spend the ten bucks and buy her a basin wrench to make it easier.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 13, 2009 10:41 AM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

Yes, it is pretty simple.
Anybody (like you, or my wife) could do it.

On the other hand your husband (or I) when attempting this easy job may get frustrated if it doesn't go smoothly, start cursing and want to pay a plumber or a handyman to do it.

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/repairing-a-kitchen-faucet/index.html

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-install-a-single-handle-kitchen-faucet/index.html

Posted by: Bklnite at November 13, 2009 10:31 AM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

Pretty sure IMBY is right - violates fire code to have a lock that could trap someone inside. Likely nobody will bother you about that & you can get the cylinder rekeyed. But it would be a drag to forget to leave the key in the inside lock and have you or someone else in a panic trying to get out while the house is on fire.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 12, 2009 3:33 PM in response to Lock DIY?

Buyer got a pretty sweet deal on Garfield Pl. With a bank loan and a loan from NYU, he only needed $115k down.

He's got a nice smile too...
http://w4.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/facultyindex.cgi?id=541

Posted by: Bklnite at November 12, 2009 2:36 PM in response to House of the Day: 540 4th Street

Using a legal 1-family as a 2-family is a problem and is illegal, as already noted. I don't think using a legal 2 as a single family should be a problem.

What's worth more when it comes time to sell - depends on the market. For some property the best and highest use is as a single family, if that's what there's demand for. In other cases buyers want the income & a 2 family can be worth more.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 12, 2009 1:49 PM in response to 2-family vs single?

I got some storm windows from Larsen windows on 4th ave several years ago. Worked out pretty well.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 12, 2009 1:16 PM in response to Storm Window Replacement

albemarle -
If the kitchen is being redone w/ new floors, can you add radiant heating rather than radiators? I live in a smaller house not far from there & my dream is to one day live in a cozy home with radiant floor heating.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 12, 2009 12:56 PM in response to All Systems, Go — Away?

OP's reference to earnest money & no mention of buyer's attorney sounds very foreign to those of us in Brooklyn. Andrea's profile says non NYC. Perhaps venting on Brownstoner is therapeutic, but not likely to get useful responses here.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 10, 2009 8:20 AM in response to Seller wants out of Contract

Why make it a big deal if you don't have to? Ask the girlfriend for what you'd ask any prospective new tenant (employment / references / income ... run a credit report) and offer a vacancy lease with a 17% or 20% increase for 1 or 2 years.
http://www.housingnyc.com/html/guidelines/vacancy.html
Saves you the trouble of looking for a tenant and possibly losing 1 month rent.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 9, 2009 4:11 PM in response to Rent Stabilization Succession

An interesting question. Tenant can claim succession rights based on "emotional and financial commitment", but in the case where one member of the couple moves out it would seem hard to prove. If the two of them shared expenses and the tenant on the lease dropped dead, the surviving girlfriend would have an easier case to make. You could offer the girlfriend a new lease with a vacancy increase & as vinca suggests consult a knowledgeable attorney if she asserts succession rights.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 9, 2009 9:58 AM in response to Rent Stabilization Succession

"...just makes me think Grandma died there.
Posted by: tybur6"

That fireplace shot with the grandfather clock does give that feeling. I remember a house for sale in the area years ago where they guy collected clocks and the house was filled with hundreds of them. Made it harder to envision as my home.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 6, 2009 1:41 PM in response to Open House Picks

(Referring to 1423 Albemarle Rd, mentioned by ditmas2br 12:11 PM ... not the reno blogger's place)

Posted by: Bklnite at November 6, 2009 12:45 PM in response to The Albemarle Renovation Blog Launches!

I imagine buyers of the reno blog place are well aware of that place. It's been on the market quite a while and it looks pretty bad from the outside.

It was an open house pick in April 08.
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/04/open_house_pick_180.php
Back then asking $1.65. Those were the days.

According to streeteasy
01/09/2009 Listed in StreetEasy by Brooklyn Properties at $1,350,000, then multiple price cuts ending up at $999,000.
10/23/2009 Listing entered contract.

From propertyshark, looks like it was going towards foreclosure - Lis Pendens filed 6/1/2009

Posted by: Bklnite at November 6, 2009 12:41 PM in response to The Albemarle Renovation Blog Launches!

Thermostat is definitely diy. Generally 2 wires, no danger of doing something terribly wrong. A common test is it take out the thermostat and connect the 2 wires together, basically forcing the connection / keeping the switch ON and calling for heat. Buy a digital programmable one and swap it out.

Whatever you do, avoid calling for service on the weekend. Last year my forced air furnace crapped out on a freezing Friday night. I got somebody there on Saturday who charged $200 (cash, minimum for showing up on Saturday). He diagnosed the problem, a bad fan limit switch was tripping the electrical circuit, and quoted over a thousand bucks to replace it! (Criminals!) I bought the part on Monday morning from the supply house for 80 bucks and got a # of a tech to call - Chris Quartana 646-996-3436
Paid him something like 150 bucks for the labor to put it in.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 6, 2009 12:06 PM in response to Furnace or Thermostat Issues

Welcome. Great that you're doing the reno blog. Walked by Halloween and saw the decorations - I guess you're moved in and there's plenty of rooms to shift around while you take on work in stages.

The house is great, but would seem overwhelming to restore and to maintain and heat. How're you gonna make use of all that space? A half a dozen more kids to go with the guy by the fluorescent lights?

Posted by: Bklnite at November 6, 2009 11:40 AM in response to Welcome to The Albemarle Reno Blog

Spoke with one of the house cleaners
http://www.wecandoit.coop/
Money goes straight to the worker. The price to clean a house was high compared with what neighbors are paying & we decided to keep looking. I like the idea in principle.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 6, 2009 8:40 AM in response to Housecleaning Cooperative

There's lots of interesting reading re: Scheidelman and Perry v. Commissioner (similar case w/ Ft. Greene owner vs. IRS)
http://www.architecturaltrust.org/taxadvantage/library/pending_cases.asp#s2

Respondent's Expert Report - Cushman Wakefield, has an appraisal of 374 Vanderbilt giving the opinion that the value in 2004 both before and after the easement was $1,000,000, supporting the IRS claim that there was no value given up with the contribution.

If you deducted 96k and avoided 30k or so of taxes, you can see how Scheidelman's case turns out, and go to court if you you think you'd prevail. I'd think if you'd be better off trying to negotiate away penalty (and interest) in exchange for saving everyone the expense in court.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 5, 2009 2:02 PM in response to Easement Audit Nightmare

BrooklynGreene -
Photo of shirts is from
Cortelyou Greenmarket
Location: Cortelyou Rd. between Rugby & Argyle Rds.
Times of Operation: Sunday 8 AM - 4 PM
Season: Year Round
http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/regionmetrokings.htm

Posted by: Bklnite at November 5, 2009 9:19 AM in response to Thursday Links

Yeah, OP - lot's of folks cheat a little on their taxes, but a bogus 270k deduction ?!? Busted. You profited by the 600k increase in value from 04 to 07 on top of whatever the gain from your original purchase price to the 04 value when you got involved in the scam, so you can probably afford it. tybur6 always has tongue planted firmly in cheek when posting but.....

"I think you should just pay the IRS the money.
Posted by: tybur6"

Posted by: Bklnite at November 4, 2009 4:46 PM in response to Easement Audit Nightmare

It's sorta like donating your junker car to a charitable organization and taking a tax deduction for the 5k blue book value of the car, even though the charity contracts with a company that tows away and sells the junker for $100 and gets 50 bucks out of the deal. I did that once before the IRS tightened up on that game. Now you can deduct the fair value of the donated car.

If you take a 270k deduction and when the change in value for adding the easement to the property in a landmarked district is de minimus, then I'd say a fair outcome is to argue you were not negligent, made some reasonable attempt to do the legal thing, and pay the tax you should have paid when you took the questionable deduction and try to negotiate the interest and penalties.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 4, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Easement Audit Nightmare

There's an old bstoner post about this...
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2007/09/facade_easement.php

I'd have to say I can see the logic of IRS to challenge this - you're claiming a charitable deduction (to some organization?) for leaving your historic facade as is in perpetuity. But why's the value to the charitable org 15% of the value of the property when you were already restricted from changing the facade by LPC?

Posted by: Bklnite at November 4, 2009 12:28 PM in response to Easement Audit Nightmare

Right - I was making the distinction because dibs was suggesting an LLC & I don't think that makes sense for you. Go with the advice from Adam (a mortgage broker) & look in to TIC. Just be aware of the complications, like what happens when one couple wants to or has to sell, and spell that out in your agreement. And with one mortgage, one couple can't refinance their half of the loan; and if one couple moves & sells to new TIC members, you have to refinance, even the couple that's staying has better terms on the existing loan than the new market rates. No worries if everyone lives happily ever after in the same 2 family home.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 3, 2009 12:28 PM in response to Buying a Multifamily House

When I'm in the exit only lane I allow hybrids to cut in front. SUVs, TLC cars and taxis can go to hell.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 3, 2009 10:38 AM in response to Squadron Helps Drivers Get Off (The FDR)

The most effective strategy to to the bridge is to stay in the far left lane of the southbound FDR until you are about 75 feet from the exit. Then quickly cut over 2 lanes, catching the the people foolishly waiting in the exit only lane by surprise when you cut them off.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 3, 2009 10:33 AM in response to Squadron Helps Drivers Get Off (The FDR)

In a recent appraisal for my home, the adjustment for comparable sales was $10 per square foot difference in lot size (and $20 per square foot difference in gross livable area). This was for homes in victorian flatbush and I'd assume both those factors would be higher in brownstone neighborhoods where houses and lots are smaller and prices higher on a psf basis. Those numbers struck me as low, compared to what an actual buyer in the market would be willing to pay.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 3, 2009 9:58 AM in response to Value of a Backyard?

Look up tenancy in common. For a multifamily purchase as an investment an LLC would be a common form of ownership. If it's for a primary residence for both TIC is an option. Unrelated people can own property and get a mortgage, not sure that it would have an effect on the rate, if income and credit of all parties are good enough.

Ask a lender or a mortgage broker - you may not need to have a TIC agreement drawn up before applying for a loan, but you'll want to spell out many things before you buy, to avoid trouble later when one party wants to sell, in case of a divorce, etc. etc.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 3, 2009 9:30 AM in response to Buying a Multifamily House

It sounds like diy - go to home depot or lowes and buy a faucet and change it out - unless there's a problem with the valve, as MP suggests.

Does the water shut off when you shut off both valves below the sink? If so buy the faucet (make sure you get one that matches ... # holes in the sink, 4" is common) and give it a shot. You'll have a new faucet that you chose and worst case you get stuck or frustrated trying diy and you call a handyman or plumber who'll charge you some minimum for a service call and probably do it quickly.
http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_3d_index.asp?page_id=35749952

Posted by: Bklnite at November 2, 2009 5:02 PM in response to Plumbing Issue

Does "42 windows" include the bricked over ones on Berkeley Pl? Maybe it was too many windows. It's a pretty busy spot for traffic headed to Flatbush Ave or to GAP. Nice place, but pretty lame to have 5 photos of a 15 room house.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 2, 2009 1:28 PM in response to House of the Day: 49 8th Avenue

Maybe you should have bought one of these and been done with it for 30 bucks.
http://www.target.com/Rainshower-Chrome-Showerhead/dp/B0003WN19W

I'm assuming it's not a rent regulated apt but if it was you could raise the monthly rent 1/40 of the cost of MCI's. Tell the tenant the rent is increased 6% starting Nov (and you need 6% more for security deposit) and he can take a 25% credit against Oct rent for the inconvenience.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 2, 2009 10:25 AM in response to Tenant Compensation?

On the faq from dsny it says max 60 lbs.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/html/faq/faq.shtml
It does say "bundles of wood (no longer than 4 feet, nails removed)" but when I've had trouble getting the nails out I bang them so they're flat to the wood and bundle 2 pieces nail sides together to minimize the hazard to the collection guys. Worked OK for me.

It depends on the crew whether they'll be a pain about the rules and leave your stuff. I haven't myself but I hear that if you meet the guys when they're collecting, a bribe ... uh I mean holiday season gift ... can smooth out some of the difficulties getting your stuff picked up.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 2, 2009 8:57 AM in response to Wood Panels for Garbage Pickup

I recommend Zoltan ("Zoli") Karpi 347-693-1284

He did 2 new bathrooms in the house where I used to live in Park Slope. Current owner picked out & paid for tiles & the cost was much less than what you're likely to pay most contractors. They are very pleased with the work.

He & one of his crew did a new shower stall and a variety of wall repair, skim coating & some electrical work for me.

Give him a call or email karpizoli at yahoo dot com
They do excellent work.

Posted by: Bklnite at November 2, 2009 8:37 AM in response to "Simple" Kitchen and Bath Reno

Check out PS 139 on Rugby @ Cortelyou, and PS 217 on Newkirk. Both have gifted & talented programs & both are insideschools noteworthy schools. Don't stress out too much now - you'll have plenty of time for that in several yearswhen the kid's ready for preK or K, and again when it's time to look for middle schools and again with the HS search.

Find out what the zoned school is for an address is here:
http://maps.nycboe.net/
Let's you know what school your kid automatically gets in to - aside from options like G&T, magnet schools, etc.

As they get older it matters less the district/zone where you live - lots of kids travel a ways for middle and for HS everything's pretty much open to kids city wide.

Posted by: Bklnite at October 30, 2009 4:03 PM in response to Public School Victorian Flatbush

If the customary commission is 6% then I think an exclusive listing should be be half - 3%. And that's an obscene amount relative to the work involved. Getting too specific about where to advertise & how many people to mail to doesn't seem necessary. That's what the broker is supposed to know how to do. It's a very small market for $5 million properties, and 150k is plenty of incentive for them to find one willing and able buyer.

3 months is a reasonable length of time. Can always renew or take it to another broker after that.

Posted by: Bklnite at October 28, 2009 3:13 PM in response to Broker Contract?

pop-
+1 on the congrats. Welcome to the neighborhood & good luck w/ reno / resto. You'll have to update your bstoner profile now that you're no longer a bitter Boerum Hill renter.

Posted by: Bklnite at October 28, 2009 9:55 AM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

Aside from the outage / technical difficulties - when I go to post, about half the time I get "you are not allowed to post comments"

I thought maybe I was added along with "the what" to some brownstoner blacklist (but why?). Seems that if I just go back & try again it often works.

?

Posted by: Bklnite at October 27, 2009 1:30 PM in response to Back Up Now - Sorta

If you don't sell your place and you need proceeds for the downpayment on the purchase, then you won't get approved for the mortgage, so the mortgage contingency will cover you on the purchase contract. Speak to your attorney.

Did this with buying selling houses & worked out the 2 closings on the same day.

Posted by: Bklnite at October 27, 2009 1:26 PM in response to Sales Contingency?

How about Mauro Zanutto?
http://oldhousemyhouse.thisoldhouse.com/2009/02/a-valentines-da.html

Posted by: Bklnite at October 26, 2009 6:01 PM in response to Tile Installer

kensingtonka,
Here's a thread from a pianist bulletin board. Check the post about fiberglass backed ceiling panels.
http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Forum/3/topic/003967/Number/0/site_id/1#import
If you try being reasonable and downstairs neighbors are not, then yes you have a right to music til 10pm, to hell with them.

Maybe the pianist looking for an apartment should check if there's anything here
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/realestate/03habi.html
Musicians Preferred

Posted by: Bklnite at October 26, 2009 2:43 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

Slick - They don't take credit cards because it costs a percentage to process which would get passed on to members. They do take debit cards.

Enough already. It seems most of the people complaining are not members. It's working well enough for 15,000 members which is more than enough. No need to be so offended by it if you're not a member.

Posted by: Bklnite at October 26, 2009 1:52 PM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

Give the pianist a break. You could do much worse for tenants, like deadbeats or people who make noise late at night or pet owners. In addition to putting the piano on carpet, keeping the lid closed (and maybe with a cover) can make it unobtrusive.

Put whatever you need in the lease. And audition her at the hotel gig to see if you enjoy her playing.

Posted by: Bklnite at October 26, 2009 1:27 PM in response to Rent to a Pianist - Crazy?

BTW Arkady,
VinRoy did some brownstone and brick re-pointing work on my (previous) house about 12 years ago & we were happy with the work. I saw recent recommendations here and called him for concrete work (that I eventually got Shahab to do). Left at least 3 messages with no reply. Apparently others have found him MIA or not responsive as well. Thumbs down from me if he can't be bothered to return a call.
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2009/10/vin_roy_baronet.php

Posted by: Bklnite at October 23, 2009 5:12 PM in response to Trees & Sidewalks

I had a dog run through and leave paw prints on mine too - grrrr... Shahab came back (he was returning with the yellow caution tape anyway) and smoothed it out.

Posted by: Bklnite at October 23, 2009 5:02 PM in response to Trees & Sidewalks

after months of using a professional exterminator, someone I know finally used a product like Results and her bedbugs are finally gone. Results contains diatomaceous earth (silica dioxide) which is non-toxic. It does not poison the bedbugs. Instead, it causes their exoskeletons to break down (I think it takes about a week). Results also contains a poison which works much faster. If you are worried about children or pets, you might want to use straight diatomaceous earth. The only danger is if you breathe too much of it in -- it's a fine powder. You have to place it in all the cracks of your floorboards, baseboards, electrical outlets, etc. wherever the bedbugs might be hiding. You should place it around the bed posts, if that is how the bugs crawl into your bed. Once they come into contact with the powder, it will kill them.

Posted by: CHM at November 16, 2009 7:14 PM in response to Bed Bug Question

I have a 4 unit building and tenants have brought them in twice over the years. How do I know it was the tenants? Well how would they suddenly appear in one unit in a building? Plus as I talked with the tenants they realized it was in the first case, a used piece of furniture that they had recently bought and in the second, a hotel the tenant had recently been staying in (and a high end one at that). Both times the tenants paid for the exterminator. I don't think it would be fair for the landlord to bear that cost especially if someone buys a used couch and it's infested. However, if the tenants had not been willing to pay I would have done it and then considered that fact when the lease was up for renewal.

Posted by: Brooklynnative at November 16, 2009 8:01 PM in response to Bedbug Clause in Lease?

I have also thought about adding this to a rider. I own a 4 unit building and tenants have brought them in twice over the years. How do I know it was the tenants? Well how would they suddenly appear in one unit in a building? Plus as I talked with the tenants they realized it was in the first case, a used piece of furniture that they had recently bought and in the second, a hotel the tenant had recently been staying in (and a high end one at that). Both times the tenants paid for the exterminator. I don't think it would be fair for the landlord to bear that cost especially if someone buys a used couch and it's infested. However, if the tenants had not been willing to pay I would have done it and then considered that fact when the lease was up for renewal.

Posted by: Brooklynnative at November 16, 2009 8:02 PM in response to Bedbug Clause in Lease?

I recommend Liberty Pest Control... Speak to Juan or Greg. They have handled an 8 Family bldg in Park Slope for me and have done a superb job, make sure they send you Dominick, he seems to be the best of the exterminators working for them. The Fogging and spreading of what they call "The Dust" into the walls every few feet did the trick...

We went thru 5 other exterminators over 2 years before liberty fixed the issue...

Liberty Pest Control
8220 17th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11214-2116
(718) 837-9030
www.libertypestnyc.com

Posted by: alrosariojr at November 16, 2009 9:05 PM in response to Bed Bug Question

oneasternparkway --
Have the bedbugs been entirely eradicated from your building? I can see that you have had a great deal of personal experience with this.

Posted by: prezanon at November 16, 2009 11:48 PM in response to Bed Bug Question

Just as a follow up. I'm having Killer Queen come on Saturday to check the place. I searched my bed yesterday and couch, and all nearby furniture and nothing. The bed is spotless as is the couch. Asked the babysitter and she scoured her apartment last night and found nothing. Killer Queen mentioned it might be the cleaning person, which seems the most likely culprit as she goes into different houses each day (and the bug appeared the day after she cleaned). I'll keep you posted as to what he finds. (Crossing my fingers)

Posted by: Brooklynitetobe at November 17, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Bed Bug Question

you made the right call, especially picking John.

you can tell him Chris from EasternParkway recomended him.

I've spoken to him a length several times on the phone about my problem and he strikes me as extremeley knowledegable and honest, which is a rare combination in the field....

good luck, let me know how it goes.....

Posted by: oneasternparkway at November 17, 2009 9:57 AM in response to Bed Bug Question

oneeasternparkway has some good advice, but I had a very different experience with Bell Environmental. A few months ago, our son was getting bites but we didn't see any bugs, so I contacted Bell. After researching the alternatives and keeping in mind our toddler, we were attracted to their freezing treatment. Their beagle Roscoe sniffed out where the bugs were hiding in the outlets and cable jacks next to my son's crib. The preparation was intense and it wasn't fun to live through it but it worked! Bell did a 2 phase treatment a couple of weeks apart and was really thorough. They used dry ice on all of our furniture, and left a residual called Mother Earth in the walls. I was really pleased, and told my neighbors about the issues because I wanted them to also take care of any bugs that they may have because I don't want to get them back. Since treatment we've been bite free, but I'm taking a lot of care to make sure that I don't have this problem at home again! Good luck.

Posted by: prospectparkker at November 17, 2009 10:21 AM in response to Bed Bug Question

oneeasternparkway has some good advice, but I had a very different experience with Bell Environmental. A few months ago, our son was getting bites but we didn't see any bugs, so I contacted Bell. After researching the alternatives and keeping in mind our toddler, we were attracted to their freezing treatment. Their beagle Roscoe sniffed out where the bugs were hiding in the outlets and cable jacks next to my son's crib. The preparation was intense and it wasn't fun to live through it but it worked! Bell did a 2 phase treatment a couple of weeks apart and was really thorough. They used dry ice on all of our furniture, and left a residual called Mother Earth in the walls. I was really pleased, and told my neighbors about the issues because I wanted them to also take care of any bugs that they may have because I don't want to get them back. Since treatment we've been bite free, but I'm taking a lot of care to make sure that I don't have this problem at home again! Good luck.

Posted by: prospectparkker at November 17, 2009 10:21 AM in response to Bed Bug Question

Everyone has been on point with the advice. A trained pest control operator has only a 40% success rate in determining whether bedbugs are present in a residence. A bedbug sniffing dog is 94-96% accurate. Finding one bug is reason enough to have an inspection by a PCO or sniffing dog.

I like the idea of the babysitter shaking herself off before entering but in reality, she could not shake herself violently enough to rid the bedbugs. The bedbug's exoskeleton attaches like velcro to fabrics.

Heat is the key. Get everything that can be put into a dryer, into the dryer. 20 minutes at high heat to kill bedbugs.

Best of luck.

Posted by: DoctorBedBug at November 17, 2009 4:21 PM in response to Bed Bug Question