snowbunny's Profile

Name:
In Brooklyn Since:
2006
On Brownstoner Since:
Location:
Brooklyn
Neighborhood:
Fort Greene
Abode:
Rental
Profession:
Sex:
Age:
Website:

Author's Posts

November 17, 2009

First Floor Apartment Security?

I am moving into a first floor apartment. There are bars on the windows facing the street, but not on the windows (or doors) facing the garden. The landlord told me that they cannot install bars bc they would be "liable" if we were robbed or if there was a fire and we were trapped. This sounds ridiculous to me, but I can't force them to install them. However, I do need some type of security - don't I? Does anyone have advice on installing such bars myself (and how much that would cost)? Would it be more efficient (and cheaper) to set up an alarm system?

Thanks!
(Brownstoner posters, you have been invaluable to me with all of your advice during my apartment search)

November 13, 2009

Tenant Pays Water Bill?

Hi,

I have finally found a rental apartment, but the landlord is including some unusual lease provisions in the rider. The most worrisome of these is a provision regarding the water bill. The apartment building contains 5 apartments, all two or three bedrooms, with W/D hook ups and dishwashers. The tenant must agree to assume 1/5 of the amount of any water bill exceeding $400 per quarter.

Are there any landlords of multi-family dwellings out there that have an opinion on whether the building is likely to exceed $400 per quarter in water bills? And by how much? I don't want to make a big deal of this if it isn't likely to be a problem, but we will already be paying our own heat/hot water, so I need to keep the bills under control.

Many thanks.

November 5, 2009

Lincoln Place Block?

I'm considering renting an apartment located on Lincoln Pl. btwn Underhill and Washington Aves. Does anyone have a read on what that block is like? It was pretty quiet when I was there during the day - is that the case at night? Does it feel safe? Just for reference, I currently live on Myrtle Avenue near Adelphi, so my standards are....flexible.

Thanks!

October 13, 2009

Negotiating Rent Reduction

My lease is up in December, and although I would like to stay in my current apartment, I will need to negotiate a rent reduction with my landlord in order to make that possible.

I live in a rental building with three units, all with almost identical floorplans. I live in the top floor unit, which is a 6 story walk up. The other two lower floor apartments were rented 1-2 months after I signed my lease, for about 12% less than what I am currently paying. At most, I do not want to pay more than the other tenants. In any case, I think that I can do better elsewhere, and although I hate to go through the hassle of moving, I will move if I can't get the rent reduced. My changed financial position during the last year, along with unexpectedly high heating and cooling bills in the apartment make this a necessity.

I was wondering if anyone has had luck recently with negotiating a rent reduction, and if so, how you approached it - did you put your request in writing, provide other apartment listings to show similar apartments, discuss your personal financial concerns, or just keep it simple? The situation is somewhat complicated by the fact that my landlord can be really nutty - he once repeatedly cursed at me and screamed "I'm not your slave" into the phone at me when I called to report that water was pouring through the ceiling and I requested his help, and then a few days later approached me on the street wanted to coo over my baby and pinch his cheeks. Needless to say, I don't want to get into another screaming match with him.

Many thanks for any advice.

Author's Comments

Thanks so much for all of the suggestions.

Posted by: snowbunny at November 17, 2009 6:41 PM in response to First Floor Apartment Security?

Hey, thank you so much for your detailed responses - it is much appreciated, as I have no experience with water bills.

Posted by: snowbunny at November 13, 2009 9:45 PM in response to Tenant Pays Water Bill?

Thanks again to everyone who weighed in. I'm going to take Grand Army's advice and check the block out at night. Thanks!

Posted by: snowbunny at November 5, 2009 7:06 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

Many thanks for the feedback. It's hard to resist being so close to the park (at the moment, I am DRIVING there to go running in the morning, when I'm not too lazy...), and it's nice to hear good things about the block. It is after all, the city, so I don't expect crickets.

Speaking of driving, any opinions on the ease of parking? They just changed my current nabe over to a twice weekly cleaning schedule, I hate to give that up.

Posted by: snowbunny at November 5, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

I'm looking for a rental for Dec. How big is the apartment?

Posted by: snowbunny at November 3, 2009 1:01 PM in response to Tenants Breaking Lease

I recently went to a nice baby shower in ICI Restuarant's party space, which is located on the parlor level of a brownstone on Dekalb Avenue in Fort Greene.

Posted by: snowbunny at October 28, 2009 3:07 PM in response to Space Rental for Baby Shower

Does it really matter what temperature other landlords keep their rental units at? If your tenants spend the winter cold, they'll be looking for a new place for next winter. Although 71 may be comfortable for many people, not everyone is comfortable at the same temperature.

Posted by: snowbunny at October 16, 2009 12:35 PM in response to Temperature in Apt.

Many thanks to everyone for your great suggestions and appraisals. I'll let you know how it works out!

Posted by: snowbunny at October 14, 2009 1:57 PM in response to Negotiating Rent Reduction

hey donatella, actually, we provide our own hot water and services, including paying electric for the hallways since the landlord stopped paying that bill. of course my circumstances don't entitle me to a bailout - they do, however, mean that i am going to move if i don't get a reduction, and i'd like to give my landlord, who may have trouble finding another tenant at the current cost, the chance to limit his damages. just asking for advice on how to approach the LL.

Posted by: snowbunny at October 13, 2009 9:57 PM in response to Negotiating Rent Reduction

Hi pointslope, thanks for your help. Apt is 3BR/2BA duplex, with DW, laundry room in apartment, and two decks. Sq footage was listed as 1500, not sure if that's quite true, but probably close. It's a pretty nice apartment (if you can live with new construction) with lots of windows (despite the fact that it fairly shoddily constructed, but since i'm renting i don't sweat it too much). It's located on Myrtle in Ft. Greene, about a very brisk 15 minute walk from the express subway lines on Flatbush.

Thanks!

Posted by: snowbunny at October 13, 2009 8:44 PM in response to Negotiating Rent Reduction

I know how much the other tenants pay bc we all moved into the building, which was new (a condo that didn't sell), at the same time, and we all had a lot of problems initially (leaking ceilings, broken stairs, separating floor boards, bizarre heating situation, unresponsive landlord, astronomical utility bills) that led to a lot of comparing notes, which eventually led to comparing rents. I agree, only in NYC.

Posted by: snowbunny at October 13, 2009 3:22 PM in response to Negotiating Rent Reduction

So wait, should a walk-up 6th floor apartment be worth more than the lower floor apartments? We do have a better view, but it is a haul up those stairs, especially with kids, groceries, packages, trash, etc.

Posted by: snowbunny at October 13, 2009 2:43 PM in response to Negotiating Rent Reduction

Thanks for your advice - I've been debating whether to let him know that I know what the other tenants are paying - or whether that even matters. Do you think that it is best to start with a lower offer or just be clear with what my limit is?

Posted by: snowbunny at October 13, 2009 2:01 PM in response to Negotiating Rent Reduction

I have a housekeeper who has been cleaning for me for 4 years and who does a great job and is very reliable and trustworthy. She even babysits for me occasionally. I know that she is always looking for more clients. If you're interested, let me know and I will send you her email address and number.

Posted by: snowbunny at September 16, 2009 1:56 PM in response to Rate for Cleaning 4fl Bstone?

Bummer. The sculpture garden is one of my favorite places to take out of town guests for a walk. Maybe its just the weather getting me down, but the city seems less and less fun all of the time lately.

Posted by: snowbunny at September 11, 2009 1:42 PM in response to Pratt: Not In Our Front Yard

Also, I used to work in East New York, and really can't seriously recommend it as a place to live.

Posted by: snowbunny at September 8, 2009 10:52 AM in response to Renters Become Their Own Landlords

Living in Brooklyn isn't a god-given right - and it's also not some sort of reward for getting here first or saving up for 10 or 15 years for a down payment - it's simply the result of being able to make the highest or most attractive bid for an apartment, which this family was able to do. Having to get by without help from your family doesn't make a person morally superior to someone who is lucky enough to receive help. Being the beneficiary of your family's good fortune does not necessarily mean that you are infantile, spoiled, lazy, etc. Good grief.

Posted by: snowbunny at September 8, 2009 10:51 AM in response to Renters Become Their Own Landlords

The mean spiritedness and jealousy in these posts is sort of staggering.

To me, the real problem here is the fact that a 2 bedroom apartment in Brooklyn costs more than a 4 or 5 bedroom home in the rest of the country. How on earth is a twenty or thirty year old person supposed to afford a place to live without either an MBA (which won't help you all that much these days anyway) or some help from their family? Renting is always an option (I'm a renter), but it can be painful to write all those checks to contribute to someone else's equity.

In addition, mortgaging an apartment to your children can be a good deal for everyone. Many parents would be happy to get a 4 or 5% return on their investment (better than they could do in a CD, and likely better than their children could do with a commercial lender) while helping their children get a good deal by offering cash, and providing some flexibility in case of a financial setback.

Posted by: snowbunny at September 8, 2009 10:33 AM in response to Renters Become Their Own Landlords

Could it have been the RePop design service that was discussed on Clinton Hill Blog: http://www.clintonhillblog.com/2008/05/27/more-on-design-by-repop/

Posted by: snowbunny at September 3, 2009 6:49 PM in response to Affordable Interior Design

I pay heat and hot water in my current apartment, and it's been more than I bargained for. I have a 3BR duplex (~1300), with an open area over the kitchen that goes up the second floor ceiling, so I knew that it was not going to be overly energy efficient. However, even with keeping the thermostat set to 68 during the day and 55 during the night, my gas bill during the winter was around $350 per month. I also have a DW and a dryer, which might make a difference, but the bill during the summer is very low in comparison (~$75), so I'm guessing it's mostly the heat.

Posted by: snowbunny at August 21, 2009 12:04 PM in response to Heat/HW Costs in a Rental?

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

I have alot of tenants breaking leases over the years. i never ever charged any one of them. its just easier to let them go and take anything farther to court etc.. waste of your time etc..

its always easy to find replacements.

Posted by: armchairwarrior at November 3, 2009 4:03 PM in response to Tenants Breaking Lease

Snowbunny and blowfish,
We have a 1BR in prime Prospect Heights available from Dec 1. It's newly renovated with w/d in unit, beautiful original mantelpiece and wainscotting, and brand new everything--wood floors, eat-in-kitchen with ss appliances (incl. dishwasher) and bathroom with radiant heated floor. It's on the ground floor of a beautiful brownstone (no garden access). Rent is $1880. Email me at 3bestboys@gmail.com for more info. Thanks.

Posted by: ursulax at November 3, 2009 9:14 PM in response to Tenants Breaking Lease

I'm actually interested in renting a 2-bedroom apartment, preferably in Park Slope or Windsor Terrace, beginning either 1/1/10 or 2/1/10. Ground floor preferable but not necessary. Any landlords out there, if you have anything please contact me at presto1972@live.com.

Posted by: presto1972 at November 3, 2009 10:31 PM in response to Tenants Breaking Lease

I would advertise no fee by owner of course but also give it to a few brokers and use the security deposit to pay the fee for a lease starting 12/15-1/1. RENT it in december; do not, under any circumstances, let it go unrented into January because Jan is the start of "nothing doing" season and that sticks around until April.

Posted by: lalaland at November 4, 2009 11:05 AM in response to Tenants Breaking Lease

thinking about moving to Prospect Heights from Fort Greene as well... finally tired of there not being any real subways close to where I live and having to rely on buses to good subways. if you know of any other good rentals in the area please let me know. thanks

Posted by: myrtleandwashingtonave at November 5, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

If you have a 9 to 5 or a variation on that schedule, parking stinks!

Posted by: BrooklynIsHome at November 5, 2009 12:41 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

I know both areas well. If you have been living on Myrtle and Adelphi for years, then you are probably comfortable with anything. Prospect heights, like others have stated, varies block by block. Generally, the closer to Washington you go, the "worse" it is. Both Lincoln and St Johns between Underhill and Washington are full of large buildings with families that have been there for years. Both have folks "hanging out" though St Johns has alot more rowdy kids who are generally harmless but can be a bit intimidating for someone not used to that sort of thing. In general if you are coming from Myrtle, youll be fine - you have the same noise, loitering (and littering). Id say if you were coming from the Upper East Side or North Slope you might be a bit uncomfortable with the folks hanging out, but its safe - just have your wits about you when walking around, just like Myrtle.

Posted by: saminthehood at November 5, 2009 12:53 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

Yeah -- When I lived on St John's between Underhill and Washington (left 1-1/2 yrs ago), it took me a while to get used to the stoop drinker/weed smokers. But then I figured out they are pretty harmless and seemed to actually keep the gang activity away from the Underhill end of the block.

I tried to avoid walking to the Washington Ave end of the block at night... I would walk east on Eastern Pkwy. Though, there have been some changes to Washington lately... new shops/bars, less vacancies I think. So...

Posted by: tybur6 at November 5, 2009 1:21 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

there's nothing wrong with "stoop sitting" or drinking or smoking (even weed) on one's stoop. such coded language in here it's absurd, and i dont throw around the racism card very often.

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at November 5, 2009 2:06 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?

Butterfly, maybe there's nothing wrong with smoking weed in public in your world. However, for people (of all colors) with jobs - it is a problem.

I have no patience for young men that make a nuisance of themselves all day, disrespecting people around them, themselves, and their race.

Unfortunately, this block still has a few too many. It has gotten better over the years but Snowbunny, if you're used to Myrtle and Adelphi then this is a walk in the park.

Posted by: Crownlfc at November 5, 2009 2:25 PM in response to Lincoln Place Block?