lala's Profile
Author's Posts
April 24, 2009
Breaking Lease 2 Months Early
I am writing to seek advice about my attempt to break a lease 2 months early. I have lived in the current apartment for nearly 2 years, I have never been late on one rent check, and have been generally a good tenant.
About the situation: ever since I moved into the current apartment there have been SEVERE noise issues. It is a larger apt. building and there are a group of individuals (ranging in all ages- teen to adult) that congregate in an alcove by the entrance to the building. I stress this because it is the alcove, the property of the apartment, not the sidewalk which is public jurisdiction, in which this individuals are loitering in. The individuals are all, or a majority, are tenants of the building.
Nevertheless, having a bedroom that is facing the alcove, the noise bounces around like you wouldn't believe (or can believe if you live in a set-up like this). The group of people are outside not just during weekends, but also during weekdays. I would not have a problem if it was- say, 1 AM on a weekend, but it has gotten so bad that it is 5:45 AM, or 6 AM- weekend OR weeknight. My sleep and ability to be alert at work has been DIRECTLY effected by this noise. Unfortunately, this problem is only exacerbated in the warmer months (an effect I have already noticed this Spring), but, needless to say, the winter months were even a problem. I have called 311, called the police, but to no avail. I have heard other tenants go outside and say, "Can you keep it down?" and those making the noise get snarky and angry, making for an uncomfortable situation. I honestly don't want to put myself in that position where I am being threatened as a result of kindly asking someone to keep the noise down.
Issue with the landlord: Our lease clearly states we have the 'right to quiet enjoyment.' We have complained to our landlord repeatedly in the past and they have said they would address the problem (unfortunately only have a one or two emails documenting this- the rest were phonecalls). The landlord has even gone so far to say that, "between the he/she and me, the building is under police surveillance." There is absolutely NO way this is and I know she flat out lied to have me shut up. Since then, the police have been to the apartment, but only when there were bottles being broken and one person was screaming at the top of their lungs that they were going to kill the other. I am extremely frustrated with the whole situation and feel helpless. My landlord is saying that if I break my lease 2 months early (might even be only 1.5 mo) that I would be responsible for the rent & I would lose my deposit. I simply can't afford this. The whole situation feels unjust to me, especially when I have given the landlord more than 60 days notice of my intent to not renew my lease. To add insult to injury, my landlord raised my rent recently. With the economic downturn, I know she is now renting my same sized apt. for $100 cheaper (less than what I originally paid). I understand he/she doesn't want to get screwed, but really, aren't I getting screwed? The rent is really not the issue, it's the fact I pay rent and I come home to feel like I live in a Circus.
I have found an apartment that is perfect, quiet, cheap, but I'd have to move in June (1.5-2 months before lease is up). Has anyone else had an experience like this and can offer me advice? I am at the point where I feel like I should try to record the noise, but don't have a means. Is there a way of getting a record of how many times people have called 311/police for a certain address?
Sincerely,
I need more than ear plugs.
August 17, 2008
Clothing Donation Center near Sunset Park, Brooklyn?
I have a lot of women's clothing that I am looking to donate. Does anyone know of a drop-off center, or drop off box, in Sunset Park?
Author's Comments
Next step: emulating the Kasai Bicycle Garage- a bike garage in one of Japan's largest metro stations and can hold thousands of bikes!! You can pay per hour/day/or month (I think month rent is equivalent to US$18). Pretty amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U7W5dbrWwc&feature=related
You don't get to see the bike storage area in the video, but you get the gist of it.
Posted by: lala at April 24, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Bicycle-Friendly Update to Zoning Code Passes Council
I honestly & naively, I thought the situation would get better, but it has gotten worse. I also resigned the lease because I am to attend graduate school in the Fall, and at the time I did not know what state & city I'd be in. So, rather than moving 2 times in one year, I stayed.....
In terms of the 2 months early--- I mean, I randomly found this apartment in my price range & in an area that I thought I could never afford- however, this new apt. doesn't outweigh the fact that there is an underlying problem. And, frankly, the months of May, June, and July scare me. It's the height of noise season....and I don't think I can take much more of this.
Posted by: lala at April 23, 2009 4:34 PM in response to Breaking Lease 2 Months Early
I honestly & naively, I thought the situation would get better, but it has gotten worse. I also resigned the lease because I am to attend graduate school in the Fall, and at the time I did not know what state & city I'd be in. So, rather than moving 2 times in one year, I stayed.....
In terms of the 2 months early--- I mean, I randomly found this apartment in my price range & in an area that I thought I could never afford- however, this new apt. doesn't outweigh the fact that there is an underlying problem. And, frankly, the months of May, June, and July scare me. It's the height of noise season....and I don't think I can take much more of this.
Posted by: lala at April 23, 2009 4:34 PM in response to Breaking Lease 2 Months Early
How did the topic of Park Slope come up? This brief article was about SUNSET PARK, not Park Slope. Two very different places. Lifestyles in Sunset Park vs. the Slope are really on opposite ends of the spectrum (for a reason- i.e. lack of gentrified bars, restaurants, etc.).
I agree w/ Khuebbe and Chrishavens, there is GREAT transportation in the area (36th street Stop w/ express trains to Manhattan). In fact, I can get into Manhattan faster than my Slopian counterparts from 36th street because of the express trains.
I admit I am partial to Sunset Park. I am frankly surprised more people haven't picked up on the Sunset Park Industrial area as a go to artist's space. To me, the landscape being right on the water is a little more artistically inspiring than say-- Bushwick. Also, the actual park (hence, Sunset Park) has great views of the skyline of Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, and beyond.
But, I'm not complaining. My rent will stay low :)!
Posted by: lala at January 14, 2009 12:32 PM in response to Will Sunset Park Be the Next Artist Community?
Seems as though all of your heads need to be pulled a wee bit further out of NY...
1) Who cares if they are from L.I., or not...
2) This might just be a very good investment for this family. Atlanta has been growing as the 'commercial hub' of the south. Traffic is horrendous, yes.... but, this is not going unnoticed by city officials and others. The Atlanta Beltine has been proposed and is well on its way toward implementation (22 miles of rail that circles the center of the city- and more). At least it's a step in the right direction for Atlanta. http://www.atlantada.com/adaInitiatives/beltline.jsp
Posted by: lala at December 22, 2008 4:43 PM in response to Atlanta All The Way
creepy, indeed.
Posted by: lala at October 8, 2008 9:03 AM in response to Stars in the Park
sunset park! we need something such as that in the area.
the rainbow cafe is still for sale.....
Posted by: lala at August 6, 2008 11:42 AM in response to Where Should the Brooklyn Brewery Set Up Shop?
sunset park! we need something such as that in the area.
the rainbow cafe is still for sale.....
Posted by: lala at August 6, 2008 11:42 AM in response to Where Should the Brooklyn Brewery Set Up Shop?
the link to brooklynian.com is good, however.... their quiz is innaccurate because the sale already includes four 2-bedroom walk-ups-- there would be no 'conversion to residential above' because currently, the building is bar below and residences above.....
Sunset Park Neighborhood Landmark
Includes Retail Space (3800 sq. ft.)
Restaurant
Full Professional Kitchen
Vintage Bar and Catering Hall
Includes Furnishings & Equipment
Entertainment Area
Four, 2-Br Walk Up Apts.
Ideal for Large Retail Chain, Bank,Fitness Center, Fast Food
Ideal location with high foot traffic
Posted by: lala at August 1, 2008 12:51 PM in response to Sunset Park's Rainbow Cafe Building Officially For Sale
A hospital adorned with Ikea furniture. No thanks. Architecturally, developers should really start paying respect to designing an interesting interior. Otherwise, they will never distinguish themselves from the next guy.
And, this Toto toilet.... i'm trusting all of your words that this Toto is totorific and will wow anyone who visits with its splendiferousness.
Posted by: lala at July 31, 2008 1:10 PM in response to Sales Begin at The Isabella
The maintenance is reasonable, but this guy won't get $463,000 for a one bedroom and with what looks like a smallish living room and lack of windows throughout the apt. The kitchen could use some updating. Maybe if there were 1.5 bathrooms and/or 1.5 bedrooms....
I'm guessing $395,000.
Posted by: lala at July 31, 2008 1:01 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 396 12th Street, #2R
The maintenance is reasonable, but this guy won't get $463,000 for a one bedroom and with what looks like a smallish living room and lack of windows throughout the apt. The kitchen could use some updating. Maybe if there were 1.5 bathrooms and/or 1.5 bedrooms....
I'm guessing $395,000.
Posted by: lala at July 31, 2008 12:59 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 396 12th Street, #2R
probably a no on the elevators, but the mattress show room on fulton street is one creepy place.
Posted by: lala at July 31, 2008 12:48 PM in response to Sunset Park's Rainbow Cafe Building Officially For Sale
11217- i wasn't singling park slope out, just using that neighborhood as an example (had nothing to do with the fact it was adjacent and that made them competitors, but in the fact that gentrification often occurs in the same way if you drop water, the liquid continues to slowly expand outward from the epicenter...). my comment could apply to any neighborhood that was gentrified... harlem, burg, the undergoing bushwick...
as for sunset park's 'bad wrap.' most of it i think is the fallacy that it is much more dangerous than other areas in brooklyn and than it really is. yes, crime occurs, as it does in the east village, or upper east side, but it does not impact 'quality of life.' sunset park, overall, is a very family oriented neighborhood.
bxgrl: the business at rainbow cafe before it's closure was steady. it wasn't the kind of place that attracted young, hipsters from outside brooklyn neighborhoods, but it had the potential.
you had the 'regulars' at he bar, but the restaurant side attracted the MTA workers (big MTA hub- jackie gleason bus depot, is right around the corner). the MTA workers actually have a strong influence on the success of the surrounding restaurants.
Posted by: lala at July 31, 2008 12:21 PM in response to Sunset Park's Rainbow Cafe Building Officially For Sale
The interior of this bar is awesome and classic and it would be a travestry whoever bought this building just tore it down. it torn down, i guarentee it would become a bank, or some other run-down chain (i.e. similar to all those that litter 5th ave between 50th-60th streets). what if they retained the bar and turned the back (or even the above apartments-which are included in the sale) into a music venue. there tons of possibilties and it would be a shame for the rainbow cafe building to be turned into something that doesn't offer anything more than a bank account, or fast food, to the community.
the simple fact that this location is just blocks from the express train into manhattan (it's faster to get to manhattan from s.p. than from park slope) should enhance its value to a potential buyer. also, if some of our beloved park slopers were ever courageous enough to venture to sunset park, they'd know that there are pockets of ridiculously beautiful rowhouses that line the streets just waiting for the 'gentler' folk to come and gentrify them.
needless to say, park slope is great and i have nothing against the people who live there, but sunset park really should not get such a bad wrap.
Posted by: lala at July 31, 2008 11:51 AM in response to Sunset Park's Rainbow Cafe Building Officially For Sale
this is just gross- unsanitary. 9 people in one bathroom? I wonder who gets cleaning duties? i bet no one...
Posted by: lala at June 15, 2009 11:12 AM in response to It's Hard to Beat the Tent Rent