BklynDahl's Profile

Name:
Dahlia
In Brooklyn Since:
1999
On Brownstoner Since:
2006
Location:
Brooklyn
Neighborhood:
Park Slope
Abode:
House
Profession:
Sex:
Female
Age:
34
Website:

Author's Posts

November 21, 2007

What's going up on the corner of 10th st & 8th Ave?

Anybody know what's going up at this corner? I'm very sad about losing the trees and open space. Any clues on how big, how tall and how ugly the building will be?

November 10, 2007

Bleeding radiators

I have a hot-water heating system in a 3-family, where it's usually warmest on the bottom floors, coldest on top. Do i need to bleed the radiators? Would that help the temperature on the top floor? Is it good for anything else? And, how does one go about bleeding a radiator?

September 13, 2007

Violation Reissuance Program

I received this letter from HPD listing several open violations against my b/stone - 4 class a and 4 class b. The letter basically says that I can certify that the violations are closed and not pay the fee or the dismissal request inspection that are normally required to close a violation. Some of the violations have been taken care of, others not. The letter states that it's a crime to certify that a violation has been corrected if it hasn't and that HPD MAY inspect to verify correction.

So my question is this - how likely do you think it is that HPD will show up at my door to check that it's been corrected? I'd love to have all the violations closed, but would not like to pay a fine for lying or would like even less correcting a couple of these violations (nothing serious or dangerous - just would be time consuming and possibly expensive). Any opinions? Also concerned about an inspector showing up and issuing new violations.

August 13, 2007

Paint and debris from neighbor's buiding work

My neighbor, an elderly woman, is having some work done on the back of her brownstone - I guess chipping away old paint and then repainting, or maybe repointing the bricks. The work started today and there is already paint chips and debris all over our back yard. I have two young children (18 months) who go back there almost daily and will put anything in their mouths. Does anyone have any suggestions of how to deal with this situation, other than just cleaning thoroughly myself daily or giving up the yard for the rest of the summer? Are there any guidelines or requirements that the workers have to follow? I am not too worried about preserving friendly relations since this elderly woman has hated us since we moved in and vacillates between pretending we don't exist and shooting us death rays when she sees us on the street.

Anyway, do we have any recourse against her? I have no idea if this is lead based paint, but as I'm sure she's done nothing on her house in decades I would not be surprised if it is.

Thanks for all suggestions.

Author's Comments

Thanks everyone. I spoke to to the GC today who was very apologetic and promised to be more careful. Meanwhile, love the idea of tossing the dirty diapers over the fence!

Posted by: BklynDahl at August 14, 2007 9:22 PM in response to Paint and debris from neighbor's buiding work

here is the rider i use with my tenants - many of the things are based on experiences with previous tenants. Some things may seem a bit anal (e.g., no signs in the window) but it works for me.

Rider to lease for Apartment xxx
at xxx, Brooklyn, NY
Between xxx, Landlord,
and ___________________________________, Tenants,
Dated _____________________, 2007

1. Tenant will not smoke and will not permit any of guests or licensees to smoke at any time in the Apartment or in any public part of the building located at 659 10th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. (the “Building”).
2. Tenant will not permit any cats or dogs during the entire period of tenancy in the Apartment.
3. Tenant will obtain renter’s insurance naming Landlord as an insured party before the start date of the lease and will maintain such insurance during the entire period of tenancy in the Apartment. Tenant will supply satisfactory documentation of such insurance to Landlord before moving in to the Apartment.
4. Tenant will keep common areas free of personal belongings, such as bicycles, boxes, or air conditioners. Common areas include the parlor entryway, stairways, and hallways.
5. Tenant will not install a washer, dryer or dishwasher in the Apartment.
6. Tenant will not use the roof of the Building.
7. Tenant will schedule installation of services that require access to backyard (e.g., cable, internet) at the convenience of Landlord
8. Tenant will not paint the apartment or make other alterations to the Apartment without prior approval.
9. Tenant will not play loud music after 10 pm.
10. Tenant will keep their windows free of signs, flags or other regalia.
11. Tenant will immediately inform Landlord of any leaks or water damage in the apartment
12. Tenant will dispose of garbage and recycling in the appropriate and legal manner.

______________, Tenant

xxxxx, Landlord

Posted by: BklynDahl at August 17, 2007 9:31 PM in response to Lease Riders

You can try George Gamba - he is sometimes available for smaller jobs. His # is 347 724 6540. He did my kitchen and bathroom among many other things and worked on several other people's houses and apartments that i know of (including my parents). Please tell him Dahlia recommended him if you give him a call.

Posted by: BklynDahl at August 28, 2007 4:42 PM in response to Contractor a no-show and desperate...

Thanks for the info! that building looks scary and I really can't imagine it on my corner next to the church. FYI 4:26, parts of south slope ARE landmarked - 9th - 15th between ppw and 8th. This corner is one street outside the landmarked area and smack in the middle of leafy brownstoned streets.

Posted by: BklynDahl at November 23, 2007 7:24 PM in response to What's going up on the corner of 10th st & 8th Ave?

I have a half-BR on my parlor floor in a former closet which is 28.5x49 (inches). It's basically just enough room to fit a grown man in - my 6'5 250 brother in law can fit in there OK. We were able to expose the brick behind the toilet (back wall of the house) to gain an extra inch or so for the length.

Posted by: BklynDahl at December 14, 2007 10:18 PM in response to optimal width for toilet area?

If this is a house you want there's no point in just withdrawing your offer. I would give them a very short deadline. Aside from the sellers jerking you around, it seems that your lawyer is not giving you his/her all either - s/he should not just be "relaying info" but should be advising you on what to do and should already have suggested giving a deadline. if the contract does get signed I would consider switching lawyers.

I was in a similar situation where I signed a contract after winning a highest and best and waited and waited and waited for the sellers to sign. Eventually they decided not to sign - after about a month of devastating waiting. We requested that they repay us the cost of the inspection, which they did.

Posted by: BklynDahl at January 12, 2008 8:06 PM in response to What is the Standard Time for Seller to Return Signed Contract?

Another point about the 12th st listing - there is a monstrous building going up on the corner - bigger than anything around with crazy construction, noise, dirt, etc. This building looms over the whole street! It must take some value away from the other houses on the block. We looked at a house on this block 2.5 years ago which was going for 850 at the time - even then we thought that was overpriced for the block.

Posted by: BklynDahl at February 15, 2008 7:25 PM in response to Open House Picks

I am a new landlord also and have only used brokers to rent out the two apts in my 3-fam. I don't have the time or inclination to be showing the apt to lots of people, collecting all the paperwork, etc. I also have no interest in splitting the fee with the renters. What I have learned through the process is to tell the broker up front that I will not necessarily take the first person interested in the apartment - often with a few brokers competing within one agency they try to go by first come first served - this doesn't work as well for the landlord. I've found that if there a couple people interested it is best to consider both of them and then accept the one that you're most comfortable with. In addition, since I live in the building, I've made a point of meeting and interviewing anyone who I'm considering renting the apartment to. This reduces the chance of ending up with someone you can't stand living in your house - even if they look good on paper and in their references. If you tell the broker these things up front there shouldn't be a problem later on.

Posted by: BklynDahl at March 27, 2008 8:59 PM in response to Rental Apartment in Brownstone

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

I absolutely agree as a landlord that your should get a broker. I have a touch as nuts broker (I know, because he broke my balls before showing me my first apt in the neighborhood that was fabulous) - he is great at vetting and found me a tenant who is amazing. Who cares about tenants who don't like brokers, there are plenty of good ones willing to pay the fee.

Posted by: guest at March 31, 2008 10:43 AM in response to Rental Apartment in Brownstone