moskow_on_gowanus's Profile
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Author's Posts
November 10, 2009
Tenants Broke Entryway
We do not know who did it. But door is impossible to close: weight mechanism is off its normal position and door could be closed only from inside witha pressure. Is would be costly to fix we think. Door is an original and mechanism is an original and worked perfectly all the time. My husband is really mad and want to post an angry note to ask whoever broke it to fix it up to an original state.
what would you do it this situation? Our tenants are paynig rent in time and nice tenants if sometimes not very careful with our property ( but previous damage incidents were very minor and we just swallowed)
May 18, 2009
In search of a brick wall...
Obviously I can open small portion and check it myself, but my question is relatively easy to answer, so, I am going to ask here first:
What kind of wall is the wall that runs above main beam and divides "wider" rooms and narrow "small" rooms on the same side as stairs.
I have really bad sheetrock walls in my "smaller" room. I like an idea of painted brick wall instead. It is an interior partition, the other side of the wall (bigger bedroom) has nice old plaster, so, insulation is not a problem. Also, I will gain about 4 inches in small narrow room.
but I am not sure that this wall is brick! It looks like it should be, but I am not sure.
April 24, 2009
Fiberglass awning for our deck
We are ready to install new awning over deck off kitchen, you know, that transparent kind that do not block light. Google gives a big list of companies in Brooklyn but we are looking for references and personal experience.
March 24, 2009
how do you like this house
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123783052349616069.html?mod=article-outset-box
my first thought was... my second thought... or well, i want to see what your thoughts are.
December 30, 2008
heat problem and tenants rights
This story is long but my question is mostly not what to do to fix the problem but rather of how to handle tenants.
When they moved we had one room (small bedroom) that was colder then other rooms. We warned them about this problem but they put kids in this room. Window in this room is relatively new, contractor replaced it 5 years ago, but window is not the best or most expensive. Last winter they supplemented heat with electrical heater ( room is 7X14, not very big ) and we decided to replace radiator. We thought that radiator was the main problem. We replaced radiator this season. Plumber did all calculations and put radiator that is lightly bigger than suggested for this size of the room.
Initially everything was fine. But then they started to complain about heat again. We keep 72 during day and hiked to 75 when they complained. We also checked radiator. Radiator is as hot as other radiators in this apartment! But room is really cooler. They claim that it is 53 during night but of course I did not check the temperature.
We rise heat every day when they complain. It is really hot in our apartment and in apartment on the second floor.
Third floor ( problem apartment ) is slightly cooler but not cold. I have a problem going there with a thermometer. I am afraid it will look like I do not believe our tenants and want to start an argument war. My guest it is around 69-70 degrees. But small bedroom is colder. We are not going to argue on that, we are looking for a solution.
I do not want to fight with my tenants, I completely understand that she want her kids to be warm. I suggested to go and insulate window. They put plastic on window but did not do a good job. I made an appointment to do this but then I had to cancel: I had to take my daughter to the doctor instead of sending her to school and then school break started. I promised to do this next Monday when my child will be back to school. But I understand that problem may be much deeper and insulating window is not going to fix it. May be we will have to insulate roof.
Also, we replaced front side windows in each apartment this fall. New windows are Marvin and suppose to be very efficient. So, as you see we are working on this.
But since I canceled my "insulation appointment" last Tuesday I got calls every day to rise heat. We keep now heat at 74-76 with thermostat in our apartment. I spent several late hours at night during this week in second floor apartment staining new windows ( as tenants went on vacation) and it was very hot on a second floor.
Finally today I gave up and after I got call from my 3rd floor tenant again to raise heat ( it was 73 degrees on my thermostat) and I softly suggested that they can sometimes use space heater.
I told her that we are really looking at solution, that I will go and insulate her window next Monday and my plumber is going to come over that Monday ( I made an appointment already) but I really overheat the whole house because of this small room ( other room in her apartment are just fine). I told her that I hiked heat to 76 now but may be she should consider using space heater from time to time.
She is not the nicest person to deal with. Last year, when she complained about heat and that she has a cold we did what we could rising heat and I brought her herbal tea. Several days later I was cleaning stairs and I found this box of tea thrown in a hallway.
This time she was not very nice either. She told me that she is not going to use space heater again. She told me that she spent extra $200 each months last year on electricity ( I do not know, we used to have all electrical heat in out former place and it cost us about $400 to heat triplex completely, including hot water and cooking during winter monthly. She had to warm up just one small room in addition to regular if not adequate heat.)
She complained that her children are thick from cold. I was very tempted to mention that it is not fair to blame low heat in apartment if toddlers do not wear hats outside. I could only imagine where our conversation would go after that, so, I kept it to myself.
She told me that she is not going to discuss heat problem with me again and she is passing this issue to her husband. He called me after that and wanted to come over to discuss this in person. He will e back from work in an hour.
Now I want your suggestions on how to handle this. I really want to fix this problem. We spent money on radiator replacement, we spent small fortune on new windows. But is this normal to just refuse to use space heater in this room till we find what is wrong? As I mentioned we can do at least something about this next Monday.
What should be my position during this conversation. I am trying to be really nice to my tenants but I had been taken advantage not once because of this.
Author's Comments
10 feet? - nobody keeps this distance IMHO. At least on our block. I do not see or smell grilling that often but it happens from time to time. And when it happens the distance is less then 10 feet from the closest building. Heck, it is often less then 10 feet from neighbor's building.
We do not have grill in our backyard - park is very close. But we bought small chiminea (sp?) We did not use it yet and not sure if it legal to use it in Brooklyn backyard. There is nothing on government website.
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at April 24, 2009 10:14 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
for 6M :)
"slightly upscale"
so true
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at March 24, 2009 10:47 PM in response to how do you like this house
If you plan to paint them you can play around with basic pine shelves bought on craigslist ( search for unfinished Gothic or similar). Good handyman could build very decent looking built-ins using those shelves as a base, You'll save ton on material and labor.
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at March 24, 2009 1:11 AM in response to Cost of Built-Ins
It depends on amenities: size of your apartment (it could be big 2br with dining and office, etc. or small 2br) number of bathrooms, wd, dw? apartment condition? typical is a very broad description to put a price tag on it.
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at March 24, 2009 1:03 AM in response to Renegotiating Rent in PK Slope
"SouthParker" : "10 years ago I was a recent immigrant...now that I'm a landlord"
that is why:
" I get screwed again. "
And it is COW, people, not GOAT.
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at February 3, 2009 12:48 PM in response to Democratic Assembly Passes Pro-Tenant Legislation
ppwqall: if installing new radiator for room ($400 total), installing new windows (3K for 3 windows only for this apartment), rising heat above all city limits and paying extra money for this does not count - then we as landlords are not trying to resolve this issue.
We are working on this. This apartment is colder is general then the rest of the house. We told tenants about this before we rented apartment. Today tenant brought his log of temperature reading. It was one day when temperature was extremely low: 53 degrees for several hours one night. Mostly it was in high fifties/low sixties during most of the time in this room and low sixties/high sixties in the rest of the apartment.
Which is low, I absolutely agree. But we are not just sitting and doing nothing except collecting rent either. Today during our conversation tenant confirmed that radiator in that small cold room seems to be the hottest to the touch. I checked this room myself and there no visible holes or drafts except of somewhat drafty window ( but NOT as drafty as my own old window that still awaits replacement).
Also, we had some of our own radiators removed in our apartment that is similar to theirs but on the first floor. We kept only 3 radiators and 3rd floor apartment has 6.
What i am trying to tell is that we are doing all the right things and still did not resolve problem completely. our plumber will be back from vacation next Monday and will come over to check the whole system.
What I suggested that they can use space heater till this time and we will keep heat higher, but not uncomfortably high (lower then 78-77).
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at December 30, 2008 10:19 PM in response to heat problem and tenants rights
ppwqall: if installing new radiator for room ($400 total), installing new windows (3K for 3 windows only for this apartment), rising heat above all city limits and paying extra money for this does not count - then we as landlords are not trying to resolve this issue.
We are working on this. This apartment is colder is general then the rest of the house. We told tenants about this before we rented apartment. Today tenant brought his log of temperature reading. It was one day when temperature was extremely low: 53 degrees for several hours one night. Mostly it was in high fifties/low sixties during most of the time in this room and low sixties/high sixties in the rest of the apartment.
Which is low, I absolutely agree. But we are not just sitting and doing nothing except collecting rent either. Today during our conversation tenant confirmed that radiator in that small cold room seems to be the hottest to the touch. I checked this room myself and there no visible holes or drafts except of somewhat drafty window ( but as drafty as my own old window that still awaits replacement).
Also, we had some of our own radiators removed in our apartment that is similar to theirs but on the first floor. We kept only 3 radiators and 3rd floor apartment has 6.
What i am trying to tell is that we are doing all the right things and still did not resolve problem completely. our plumber will be back from vacation next Monday and will come over to check the whole system.
What I suggested that they can use space heater till this time and we will keep heat higher, but not uncomfortably high (lower then 78-77).
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at December 30, 2008 10:19 PM in response to heat problem and tenants rights
the rest of the apartment on the 3rd floor is not very warm, about 69 degrees, but it is still colder in this small room.
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at December 30, 2008 7:02 PM in response to heat problem and tenants rights
Based on the numbers that I saw on this Forum I would assume that crawl space insulation would cost me about $1500-$2000 for a 65X20 roof. does it sound right?
Who would do the right job (so that ceiling will not collapse on my tenants and roof will not be damaged)? Is it doable during winter time ( when it is not cold)?
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at December 30, 2008 6:59 PM in response to heat problem and tenants rights
"If it would be me I would move my kid to warmer room then start to sort things out."
Correction:
If it would be me I would move my kid to warmer room thAn start to sort things out.
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at December 30, 2008 5:52 PM in response to heat problem and tenants rights
It would be the right thing to do, but it means that I question if they are telling the truth to start with. They say they have a thermometer and I would assume they are right. This room is obviously cooler then the rest of the apartment.
If it would be me I would move my kid to warmer room then start to sort things out. They prefer to scream on me.
OK, I took my blood pressure pill and I am ready for his visit.
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at December 30, 2008 5:49 PM in response to heat problem and tenants rights
easy, easy :)
I do not see why people would not try to resolve this themselves and can create patrol groups on each street and on each block.
I have no problem to join such group. We could have shifts and groups big enough that could simply scare off at least some part of the crime. Groups and members should be registered with local precinct and have to be in direct contact with police offices on duty during shift.
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at November 25, 2008 1:36 PM in response to Headed Back to the 1970s in Bed Stuy and Beyond?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
why not just ask your next door neighbors if they mind?
i think as long as it's not going on all day all night and
your respectful about it. People in CG use their front
yards for socializing plenty.
Posted by: CGmodern at April 27, 2009 11:54 AM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
Why not just try it and see what reaction you get? If your neighbors are seemingly racist, certainly nimfys like jfss, then it should be quite a 'fun' experience.
Posted by: MAT at April 27, 2009 1:00 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
mopar, i was thinking the same thing! it's cute that the OP cares enough to ask, but can you imagine the looks on the faces of our neighbors if somebody said to them "did you ask your neighbors if it was okay to grill out here?" :D
it's way easier to ask forgiveness than seek permission right? life is too short to sit around and worry about theoretical worrywarts who are grimly sitting indoors on a nice day, looking for something to whine about (and yes, sometimes it annoys me too).
Posted by: Jimmy Legs at April 27, 2009 1:26 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
I was in your shoes several years ago on Monroe Place in Brooklyn Heights. Decided to go for it but used a small gas grill to limit the charcoal smell. It worked great when I grilled low fat meats like chicken, but when there were burgers on you could see the noxious smoke cloud all the way down the block. Nonetheless, never had a problem with the neighbors as I only did it about 1x/month and offered beers to any neighbors who popped by the check out what was going on. I say try it and gauge the reaction.
Posted by: bklyndoug at April 27, 2009 3:12 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
Do it! There's really nothing better than BBQ. You can grill in my yard. Come on over.
Posted by: superstooper at April 27, 2009 3:48 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
No, it's not ok. If you don't have access to the back yard, no grilling for you except at ta public park, where permitted.
Posted by: 1842 at April 27, 2009 3:49 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
Or my yard! Seriously. Sheesh, this place.
Posted by: superstooper at April 27, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
Sounds like some of you people should move to a gated community in Arizona and put up wooden privacy fences and seal your windows shut so smoke doesn't get in your eyes.
Wannnh.
If I owned a building with limited or now back space and a front "yard" that deep and it was within the law, you'd bet your ass I'd be grilling out there. And if anybody wanted to pretend to be in some sort of fake home owners association and tell me that "it's not allowed," I'd politely invite them to go jump in the Gowanus.
Posted by: RaginCajun at April 27, 2009 4:53 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
Rajin,
Only difference, I think the gated communities let you f'ing BBQ.
Too high on the fun-o-meter and nix; someone doesn't like it.
victim, victim, who is gonna kick 'em?
Posted by: superstooper at April 27, 2009 5:35 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
I think as long as they do veggie burgers and tofu doggies and be sure to use that chimney coal lighter thingy . . .
yawn.
Posted by: superstooper at April 27, 2009 5:37 PM in response to Front yard grilling etiquette
How come? If I damage somebody's property I would assume it is my responsibility to cover damages.
If tenants break or damage something inside the apartment (not normal wear) - this is what security deposit is for.
It is common area and it is not cheap to fix it. Besides, it has to be fixed, otherwise it will be cold in winter in a hallway.
We are not making stink that original wood panels are dented and scratched by all strollers that tenants keep in hallways (we provided storage space in meter room but it is much easier to drop strollers right behind the door). This is minor. But broken door is not minor IMHO.
Posted by: moskow_on_gowanus at November 10, 2009 9:36 PM in response to Tenants Broke Entryway