nodnyc's Profile
- Noreen O'Donnell
- 1967
- 2001
- Brooklyn
- Boerum Hill
- House
- creative director
- Female
- 40
Author's Posts
March 1, 2008
Polling all Landlords on Rent Increases
I have very good tenants in one of my apartments, paying about $500-700 below market-value. The apartment has garden access, basement storage and a washer/dryer in the cellar.
I wish I didn't have to raise the rent, as these people have become friends, but I'm being hit by water and gas increases that are making my head spin!
Is anyone aware of a percentage increase that can be applied to the utility increases we've experienced (it's a 4 family house)?
And, regardless of the percentage question, I'd love to get input on what people are doing for rent increases.
From what I can see, this is a very desirable neighborhood, with little inventory available.
Thanks!
February 28, 2008
Desperate for quiet heat!
I've just finished a gut reno of a 3 family, with all new everything, literally, including individual gas/hot water heat systems for each apartment. (Slant Fin baseboards, hot water return system).
Since November, my plumber has been trying to figure out why the 3rd floor system won't shut up! Whenever the heat is on, you hear gurgling water and an incessant knocking that has repetitive patterns that travel across my bedroom ceiling (located in the rear parlor). There's some knocking in the ceiling above the front room, but it's mainly occurring above my bedroom.
The plumber has repeatedly bled the air from the system, and there has been air each time, so he put bleeder valves on, which didn't do the trick. Friday, he replaced the expansion tank (I hope I got that right) and that seems to have eliminated the water gurgling.
But the knocking is still driving me nuts. It's not (just) expansion, because it continues throughout the night.
Also, when I had the tenants program their thermostats and drop the heat overnight, it stopped, but it's gotten colder and I can't make them lower the heat at night if they don't want to. (They pay for their own heat.)
Any clues, any help, anything... he's scratching his head & I'm becoming delusional from disrupted sleep!
Thank you Brownstoners!
Author's Comments
There are very nice electric ranges with flat glass tops. That said, I've learned after 7 years of being a landlord that if you can accommodate a standard sized stove (and all appliances) you will actually save money in the long run. It always drives me crazy that I have to pay more money for lesser quality brands and fewer choices. So the apartments I jsut renovated all have standard sized appliances and while agree no one took the apartments because of it, several noted it during the showings. Good luck in your choice!
Posted by: nodnyc at April 9, 2008 8:53 PM in response to 24 inch stove
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Your knocking problems are coming from pipes being in direct contact with floor joists, or wood studs. If during the installation your plumber did a "good" job tightening pipes to the building structural members with out insulating pipes from wood or your are guarateed to have this problem.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 6:03 PM in response to Desperate for quiet heat!
agree the 24inch cost alot more than the standard.
Posted by: armchairwarrior at April 9, 2008 10:49 PM in response to 24 inch stove
II had a lovely 24inch in my old studio coop..It was perfect for the space; This was a galley type kitchen. The cooktop was more than adequate and the oven was deep. I made Thanksgiving dinners on that stove/oven without any problem. I brought my stove at PC Richards Flatbush/Atlantic
Posted by: guest at April 10, 2008 10:10 AM in response to 24 inch stove
I've had a 24" Premier range for years and it's very efficient and holds more than you would think. Their new stainless one looks nice. Also, Avanti makes a stainless one that's self cleaning.
Posted by: chill225 at April 10, 2008 8:24 PM in response to 24 inch stove
Premier 24" stainless is great, I have put them in apartments. Lowes has them as in stock item, which means they are much cheaper than elsewhere. Under $800.00.
Only that one model, any other is special order and more expensive.
Posted by: brucef at April 11, 2008 2:21 AM in response to 24 inch stove
Funny, I was a renter for so long that I though of 24" as standard size, and the larger ones as "large."
Posted by: guest at April 13, 2008 1:57 PM in response to 24 inch stove
Thank you both!
The plumber swears the order of the installation is correct, but, I'm almost afraid to report, when I asked him about valves, he said there weren't any. I will double-check that though, and look into the boiler water levels.
Thanks again!
Posted by: nodnyc at February 29, 2008 12:10 PM in response to Desperate for quiet heat!