henrystreet's Profile
- Sarah
- 2006
- 2006
- Brooklyn
- Carroll Gardens
- Rental
- artist
- Female
- 29
Author's Posts
July 15, 2008
Zodiac counter tops
We’re re-doing our kitchen and are strongly thinking of using Zodiac counter-tops. Seem to be tough with good color options, and I like that it's not granite and doesn't require maintenance or re-sealing.
Any thoughts? Also, what are the general opinions with using it for the backsplash? I’m not sure if that would be hideous.
Any feedback, experiences or opinions are welcome.
Thanks.
May 30, 2008
Quick poll - What neighborhood is this?
What neighborhood would one consider 255 Eastern Parkway?
It's on Eastern parkway, across from the BMA/Botanical Gardens and is between Classon and Franklin.
Some say Prospect Heights, others Lefferts Garden and others say Crown Heights.
Makes no real difference to me, I'm just curious as to what people think, especially those who live in the area.
Thanks!
April 23, 2008
Shady landlord lease question
My husband and I are have been living in our apartment since August of 2006, when we signed a one year lease.
When the lease was up for renewal last summer our landlady raised our rent by $200 and asked for an additional $200 in deposit (plus an extra $300 pet deposit for a second dog). We agreed and have been paying our rent in full and on time every month ever since.
However, she never gave us a new contract to sign. She claims to be too busy but, as is typical of her M.O., I suspect she likes to have the freedom to kick people out or raise rent at any moment and therefore has conveniently forgotten for what has now been nearly a year.
Now we have bought an apartment elsewhere and are planning to move out by the end of May (mid June if she’ll accept a pro-rated rent for that month). Am I correct in believing that we are free to leave as long as we give her 30 days notice given that we are technically now on a month-to-month lease?
I’ve done a little research online, but haven’t been able to find a concrete answer.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
February 28, 2008
Deck building costs?
Any thoughts on how much might it cost to build a deck on the roof of a first story space that juts out? The space seems ripe for it, it just needs the wooden floor, a rail of some sort and to be done legally, i.e. with all the city's approvals and fees. The space is about 20 x 6. Any ballpark guesses would help.
Thanks!
February 9, 2008
Realtor search vs. no realtor?
We are looking to buy an apartment in the Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, Downtown Brooklyn, Clinton Hill and Prospect Heights vicinity – not so interested in all the new condos. So far we’ve been hopping around to a lot of open houses and making isolated appointments without having an official realtor. My question is two fold. One, what are the advantages of committing to a realtor rather than continuing looking on our own (I doubt that establishing a relationship with a realtor is going to cut down on my obsessive internet searching)? And two, can anyone recommend a realtor that knows the above areas mentioned above who is reasonably straightforward?
Any leads would help….
Author's Comments
As tragic as it is to sacrifice a window, the window mounted ACs are much much better. We had a portable unit in our bedroom last summer because the bars outside our window are too close and it's kind of a drag.
First of all, the heat that is produced is directed out the window via a tube and you feel it. So it's this constant battle between the heat the ac is creating and the cool are it is trying to pump out.
Also, the moisture that it draws from the air is pooled in a reservoir that has to be emptied, usually at least once a night if not more during the dog days.
You may feel like you'd rather give up floor space (within 8 feet of your window) than window space, but they're not exactly small objects.
Finally, I hear they're less energy efficient.
Of course, you could also skip the whole ac thing and get a fan, but that may be too tropical for your tastes.
Good luck!
Posted by: henrystreet at May 30, 2008 4:13 PM in response to Portable Air Conditioners
How often does this happen? I know it's annoying and disruptive, and I'm not claiming to love loud inconsiderate neighbors, but if this isn't a regular occurrence I say it's ok for them to have a loud long party once in a while (meaning once or twice a year). I know it’s a pain, but truthfully we all live in the city in close proximity to one another and have to learn to deal with other people’s lives. If this is something that happens often, that is a completely different situation. But even then, I think they’d be much more responsive to a plea from you personally than they would the cops.
Good luck next time!
Posted by: henrystreet at July 14, 2008 9:58 AM in response to Police Response to a Noise Complaint
VBP, I completely agree. Being a good neighbor is absolutely a two-way street. I am a huge fan of 311 in general, but fear that people use and suggest its use as a surrogate for direct, often more effective, communication. OP: Maybe write a note or knock on their door and mention that 2:30 was too late for that level of noise, or ask that you at least be forewarned next time (I always appreciate at at least knowing in advance when neighbors will be keeping me up - gives you time to get the earplugs in before it's too late).
Posted by: henrystreet at July 14, 2008 11:54 AM in response to Police Response to a Noise Complaint
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
If you don't need more than 7000 btu, which might be ok for a lower level bedroom, check out LG/Kenmore "low profile" units which are only 12" high instead of 16-18. Makes a big visual and light difference. Gets good reviews too
Posted by: cmu at May 31, 2008 10:16 AM in response to Portable Air Conditioners
We have "low profile" AC's even though we have big windows, just because we wanted them to be just that, low profile and not as bulky. I wanted the LG but they were sold out everywhere.
For rooms in the house where there are small windows, you could do a Split AC system just in those rooms. The big unit you have to hang on the wall isn't pretty but it won't block the window then.
Posted by: guest at June 1, 2008 10:16 AM in response to Portable Air Conditioners
Reality #1: You may open up a friendly dialogue with your neighbor but that will NOT make the dog stop barking. Your neighbor has already proven that he/she has no control over the dog.
Reality #2: Calling the police/ASPCA won't do much because of the current laws. A dog must bark for 5 minutes STRAIGHT. So when you record the dog barking and after 4:30 minutes he stops, the clock goes back to zero, even if the dog starts barking again, it's not considered a nuisance till that 5 minutes of constant barking threshold is passed.
Real solution 1: Move
Real solution #2: take things into your own hands and .... well I'm pretty sure you can figure out the rest.
Posted by: guest at June 8, 2008 8:29 AM in response to New Neighbor's Barking Dog!
Am I the only one who loves the Sharp CV-10MH Portable AC? Room is 12 x 12 and plenty of cooling, has movable vents, remote, water evaporates, never had to drain it. Bought May 2007. Half the weight of others, and very quiet.
Posted by: guest at June 10, 2008 2:09 PM in response to Portable Air Conditioners
Nope. I own Sharp CV-10MH too that I bought june 07, And I love it as well. It dose a pretty good job cooling my relatively big attic bedroom, So long as I turn it on early enough. Brings the temp down to around 80*f as opposed to 140*f.
Posted by: Appule at June 12, 2008 6:45 AM in response to Portable Air Conditioners
I have a Sharp CV-10MH Portable AC which is suddenly making a "rattling" noise every time the compressor comes on. Anyone have any ideas? It is one year old.
Posted by: guest at June 12, 2008 5:42 PM in response to Portable Air Conditioners
Don't know what to do about that. Mine doesn't make any strange noises. Is it loud? Hopefully nothing is wrong with it.
Posted by: Appule at June 12, 2008 7:33 PM in response to Portable Air Conditioners
Portable Air Conditioners work great. Make sure you understand that you still need to exhaust the hot air from your space to the outdoors -- this means you will still be using a window. Good luck.
http://store.h-mac.com/suwapoaircof.html
Posted by: guest at June 13, 2008 5:20 PM in response to Portable Air Conditioners
Does the neighbor have a permit posted in the windows for the renovation? If not call the nyc buildings dept.
Re: the dog. go to the neighbor's and talk to them about the dog, explain nicely that the barking bothers you.
Posted by: lola at July 3, 2008 8:05 PM in response to New Neighbor's Barking Dog!
I see what you're saying Henry Street, but if you multiply it out along the block, you're saying that every single one of the one or two hundred people living on a dense urban block has the right to keep their neighbors up until 5am once a year.
I think it's a two way street. That people should be able to have parties. People should not clench their fists and dial 311 every time someone makes a noise they can hear.
But I also believe that people who live in dense cities should turn down the music of their party to a conversational level at 2am.
I think that if both party-people and future party-people assume some responsibility here, then there will be more parties and fewer hurt feelings.
Posted by: vanburenproud at July 14, 2008 10:09 AM in response to Police Response to a Noise Complaint
Don't respond to the idiotic violent posts. They just want attention and all the subsequent responses just give them that.
OP: Call 311, stay on it and keep track of calls. Although your neighbor may not be abusing the dog, they are clearly irresponsible dog owners. By the way, if you were to follow much of the alternative advice you could be sent to jail for animal cruelty after your lovely neighbor called the cops on you.
Good luck.
Posted by: henrystreet at March 11, 2008 12:44 PM in response to New Neighbor's Barking Dog!