clintonhillbilly's Profile
Author's Posts
December 6, 2008
How do I determine if my apartment is a legal residence?
Hi there,
It has recently occurred to me that I may be living in an apartment that can not legally be used as a private residence. I have searched for a CofO on the NYC Department of Buildings website, and the search came back with "THERE ARE NO CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY ON FILE FOR THIS ADDRESS". It is also zoned by the the Dept. of Finance as G1 (garage or gas station) even though this may not be the same as the legal use of the structure.
Can someone please confirm whether the information I found is correct or how/where to go to confirm this information?
If it true that I am not living in a legal residence, is this solid ground on which to get out of a lease?
July 17, 2008
Burrowing Rodent?!
Help please --
In one corner of my garden I piled chunks of broken concrete and bricks, then covered it in dirt to provide a false slope. I planted Vinka in several areas on the slope. It has been fine for the past several weeks. All the sudden today I have noticed that some animal has decided to dig a hole through the dirt and make a nest somewhere in the rock pile -- AND ripped off all the vinka leaves and pulled them into its nest. I assume its a rat - I've seen a few in the yard, but I didn't think that they burrowed. Any guesses on what it is/how to deal?
Author's Comments
That is the craziest thing I've ever heard, to charge a new broker fee for a lease renewal. I don't have professional advice to give, but if I were in your shoes I would do the following: which real estate firm does this broker work for? If it is his/her own firm and very small, then you don't have anyone to complain to. On the other hand, if it is a larger firm or owned by someone else you should report this broker. I'm not sure if this is a legal thing for the broker to be doing unless you have a contract with them that said otherwise (like if you signed something before they found the apartment for you that dictated a renewed annual fee? But that would be weird.)
It might be a gray area if they were part owners of the property, though. So second, I would check the public record for who is listed as the owner of the property. Both names should show up on the record if it is co-owned. If it is partly owned by this broker, then they are definitely an a--hole but I'm not sure if what they are doing is illegal - as a landlord, perhaps they could enforce some sort of crazy "fee". Even if the broker is not a co-owner, s/he could in cahoots with the owner. If this is something the owner is allowing to happen, I'd get the hell out of there. If you are going to be faced with a fee anyways then you might as well move into a better place.
Last, I might consider getting an opinion from a real estate lawyer.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at August 2, 2008 11:25 PM in response to Broker/Owner Conflict of Interest?
what might be helpful too is if you made sure to have photos of all inventory online so that people could request ahead of time certain items that they would like to have a closer look at, then you could bring it on one of your trips. I know that you have some photos online but I'm not sure if it is the full inventory.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 29, 2008 10:30 AM in response to Salvage Mobile
You might have luck in Clinton Hill, but not Fort Greene or PS. A higher chance in Bed-Stuy, or maybe Vinegar Hill? Why not consider a flexible living space instead of formal bedroom set-up. Maybe an open loft or warehouse style unit with a lot of square footage, then figure out how to divide up the space. Might consider East Williamsburg or Bushwick for this kind of space that would be affordable. I think you can find something - just get creative and maybe explore other neighborhood options. A few of communal living arrangements / urban kibbutzim have been springing up, so the space to support it must be out there. Good luck.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 27, 2008 9:51 PM in response to Decent Brokers - Park Slope, Ft Greene, Clinton Hill
I think they should hire an acoustic engineer or whatever they are called. If the noise for them is bad enough that they are forking it up for a new ceiling, then I think they should hire someone who can give them professional recommendations for soundproofing and installation. Otherwise how to guarantee that it will work? There was a big article about soundproofing in the NY times about 3 weeks ago - search the site.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 27, 2008 9:59 AM in response to Soundproofing Ceiling - Help Please!
I actually just put in a french drain (no pipe, just gravel) coming off a gravel patio about 6" deep which receives the roof run-off in massive quantities. The set up is in reverse - where a drain would normally dump into a drywell, in my case the gravel patio serves as the catch and funnels into the drain (15 ft. long) and percolates into the soil. Working great so far.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 25, 2008 4:52 PM in response to Dry well installation
Broadway in Williamsburg was finished maybe 5-6 months ago, with a median.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 24, 2008 8:19 PM in response to Closing Bell: Repaving Everywhere!
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 24, 2008 3:00 PM in response to metal worker
I was at IKEA yesterday getting some window treatments, and they have an huge assortment of mix and match rods, with curves and bends so you can customize the shape, that can attach to the ceiling, or the wall, or inside a frame, etc. Also they have ceiling "tracks" instead of rods... You might take a look there.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 24, 2008 9:43 AM in response to custom or specialty curtain rods?
I just had another thought - what about cork flooring? You can get planks or tiles in different white tones (as well as natural tones or other colors), it has an interesting texture, is SUPER quiet, and soft to walk on (which is great for your friend who doesn't wear shoes in the house). I once had cork floors in a loft and for the most part I like them. My only complaint is that, because it is is relatively soft, it can get damaged (I had an animal that liked to chew). On the upside, it is easy and not very expensive to repair.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 22, 2008 8:48 PM in response to In lieu of white cermanic tile?
Here are a couple of modern fences I saw that I absolutely loved:
Modern fence featured in Apt. Therapy:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/look/look-modern-fence-050175
Or in ReadyMade magazine, article "Fence Me In"
http://readymademag.com/printarchive/article?id=1101
I'm not sure they'll work with the "not keeping out surrounding community" but perhaps you could only build a low fence, or have wider spaces between slats...?
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 22, 2008 5:37 PM in response to Creative Fence Options
what is the floor made of now? If wood - how about strip/sand it, then paint white, then lacquer.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 22, 2008 4:10 PM in response to In lieu of white cermanic tile?
I have a question for the garden owner - what are you doing to keep the bamboo in check? I'm interested in putting some in to create a screen like you did, but I understand that it can be unruly and spread quickly where you don't want it to. Would love to understand more how to keep it under control.
Thanks!
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 22, 2008 10:58 AM in response to Garden of the Day: Rocking in Rockaway
Grand Ave. Workshop
290 Grand Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 789-3306
Have not used them... just have seen the workshop. He does antique restoration and more.
And, as a last resort, there is the Couch Doctor: http://www.drsofa.com/. The reason I say last resort is because, while they are good for basic furniture I would be reluctant to use them for an antique. I hired them to disassemble a carved bed frame imported from Thailand. While they got the job done, there was some wood breakage/splintering underneath. Not visible once reassembled, but still not the best job. They could have been more careful.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 22, 2008 10:48 AM in response to antique table dissembly
I went today to Kings County Nurseries on New York Ave and Rutland. Nothing terribly unusual among the selection, but lots in stock for some more common trees and shrubs. Picked up a weeping cherry and a few rhododendrons - less expensive than gowanus and chelsea, etc. Prices closer to Home Depot - and quality is WAY better than HD.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 20, 2008 9:31 PM in response to Brooklyn tree nurserys are rip offs
You can post a picture if you start a new Forum post, but I don't think there is a way to post a picture in response to somebody else's post.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 18, 2008 4:06 PM in response to Cooling with air from basement
Here is some info about this plant: http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Pelargonium+quercifolium
If you can find a place to buy it, be aware that it won't grow outdoors all year here - they are only hardy to zone 9. You could try growing them indoors, or at least bringing them in during the winter. As for their effectiveness against the bugs - it seems like the bug repellent qualities come from the leaves when crushed or dried, not sure if the live plant would repel them.
If you find success - please post about it. The skeeters are eating us alive.
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at July 15, 2008 9:31 PM in response to mosquito repellent plants (Pelargonium quercefolia?)
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Great idea! Advertising your location in advance on Brownstoner is a good idea, and posting pics of your inventory online would also be very useful so that people can identify items before you arrive. Come to Harlem too!
Posted by: el_salar at July 29, 2008 2:01 PM in response to Salvage Mobile
Denton, I did mention that we would be in the area about a week or so before distributing flyers. Of course we will be posting here and we hope those who read brownstoner will let their neighbors know. As for the ice cream truck thing, I did that in Bayside one summer years ago and that perpetual jingle took its toll.
As for coming to Harlem, our goal is to establish a presence in Brooklyn beacuse that is where the bulk of renovation is and if things work out, rent a warehouse down there. We have a 10,000 square foot warehouse up here and it's impracticle for people to travel from Brooklyn despite the savings.
Posted by: Iknow at July 29, 2008 2:35 PM in response to Salvage Mobile
Flyers? Great, people in Brownstone Brooklyn love flyers! And menus!
Posted by: denton at July 29, 2008 7:23 PM in response to Salvage Mobile
Denton, that's it. I can charge the 200+ Chinese restaurants a fee to distribute the fliers along with our own. I realize it's a pain to keep getting those, but for those who will use the service one flier one week before is on a different level than a constant bombardment. When we distribute them here, we never put them on cars and typically hand them out with a description of our business. We have our own weekend market with about 15-20 different artisans and specialty food vendors and are always looking for new visitors. I'm still working on the jingle for the truck.
Posted by: Iknow at July 29, 2008 9:00 PM in response to Salvage Mobile
What a wonderful idea. I think you'd do very well in my neighborhood (PLG).
Posted by: Bob Marvin at July 30, 2008 8:27 AM in response to Salvage Mobile
Fabulous Idea!! I for one would be out trolling for your truck every weekend.
Posted by: HomeSweetstuy at July 30, 2008 9:01 AM in response to Salvage Mobile
Good luck with this, I think it's a unique and innovative idea. If you're in my area, I'd drop by, although I could start my own salvage store myself. Gotta stop hoarding and start working on the house again.
You have wonderful things and a good eye. Best of luck!
Posted by: Montrose Morris at July 30, 2008 12:36 PM in response to Salvage Mobile
So my next question is, what neighborhoods are undergoing the most extensive renovations? We are going to walk some of the neighborhoods and I need a list of the top three with some streets (from where to where). Thanks for the help.
Posted by: Iknow at July 30, 2008 2:24 PM in response to Salvage Mobile
Crown Heights North, bed-stuy, clinton Hill (you'll notice I put crown heights north first. Hint. Hint)
Posted by: bxgrl at July 31, 2008 12:44 PM in response to Salvage Mobile
Certain provisions in contracts are illegal.
If it is biased or discriminatory for an example.
Use your imagination I am sure you will think of other ones..
A contract reprsents a meeting of the minds.
If it is one sided or discriminatory that is not a meeting of the minds.
This is just an example.
A renewal fee might be an illegal provision.
It might also be ilegal (even if the landlord has a real estate license or owns the company) to have initially charged a fee.
You have to investigate this thru some reputable source and then double check with a non-partial.
Posted by: madamlee at August 3, 2008 2:44 PM in response to Broker/Owner Conflict of Interest?
I had a fantastic experience with Excellent Quality Movers in Brooklyn. It was about $85/hour for 3 guys and big truck. They got us in and out in 6 hours (1000 square feet/2bd apartment, lots of furniture). They wrapped all furniture, were very careful with antiques, clean and presentable. They carry insurance. We did not use storage services so I can't speak to that. My only complaint was that at the end of the day we gave them $100 tip, and they complained it wasn't enough saying that standard was $50 per mover which would have been $150. I didn't give more, but then felt guilty afterwards. But frankly, I've never heard that there is a standard tip for movers...?
Posted by: clintonhillbilly at August 10, 2008 6:53 PM in response to Moving Company recommendations?