I bought my car from Roberto Lorenzutti. He is my mechanic and is fabulous and I never worry about the car because he makes sure they are perfect.

Posted by: tsarina at November 10, 2009 5:53 PM in response to used car dealers

40 lbs. per bundle is max. Look on DSNY site for exact rules. I recall you can place 6 bundles, not to exceed 40 lbs. each during each garbage pickup.

Posted by: tsarina at November 1, 2009 4:36 PM in response to Wood Panels for Garbage Pickup

no good deed goes unpunished. I'm sure the tenant advocates will scream free rent for life!! But I'm with you on this one. Tenant asked for this additional extra and should have to accept certain inconveniences while you had to shoulder all the financial costs. Landlords are not responsible for all the stuff that happens in this world, contrary to some peoples opinions.
I would not offer any reduction since the tenant requested the addition and assured you he was fine with it all. If he continues to complain then offer a small reduction and then offset it with a huge increase next year. Hopefully he will move and you can get somebody more reasonable.

Posted by: tsarina at November 1, 2009 4:32 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

I just saw it at caesar's at 596 fifth avenue. It was really affordable. Oh I did say I would remove the previous tile and luan so the install was resonable. Love this stuff. (the marmoleum)

Posted by: tsarina at October 13, 2009 11:24 AM in response to Linoleum Repost

t on Grand and Greene is always the most resonable, and vacarro's iron under the F train, in the Lowe's parking lot has alot too.

Posted by: tsarina at October 10, 2009 8:24 PM in response to Mantle Insert - Where to Find?

neone, you are right about the left turn unto plaza st., i just didnt include that exception because my comment was already too busy.

Posted by: tsarina at October 8, 2009 7:19 PM in response to Collision at Grand Army

I've lived on flatbush in PLG and now live in Crown Heights and I've done the traffic circle ALOT. It all works well if people follow the lanes and realize that that it is a circle and turns are made from the outside right. Oh it also works if drivers realize that they are not the only one on the road. But to add to the list of things drivers have done...
going south on Flatbush cut across all lanes when entering the circle to get into the left (center) of the traffic circle and thus impede drivers trying to merge from the left to the right. I have witnessed these same drivers in the left lane then cut back across lanes of traffic to go down Flatbush. I guess they feel that a straight line drive thru a traffic circle is the way to go. they must die.

then there are the drivers at the west side of the circle that stop and block traffic so that they can cross the line of traffic at a 90 degree angle. The correct way, of course is to keep driving, follow the lines to merge with traffic, and cross the lanes while moving. It is easier and faster to cross the lanes individually moving with traffic than waiting for all of Brooklyn to stop moving so you can cross perpendicularly all at once. jesus!!! its a traffic circle.!!!!

Posted by: tsarina at October 8, 2009 2:47 PM in response to Collision at Grand Army

what if drivers actually drove in the lanes that are painted on the street instead of cutting across and making a bee line across a traffic circle? oy! dont get me started! It doesnt seem like the circle is badly designed its because some drivers are stupid, selfish and uneducated. The only solution is to put in massive concrete barriers and slow every thing way down, Even then we will see crashes but a least they will be going slower so maybe there will be less harm.
other solution? education, huge visible traffic enforcement to ticket drivers and deter future bad driving , cameras to document and ticket reckless drivers.
I know this all sounds so heavy handed but I have accepted that fact that you cannot underestimate the stupidity of many of these drivers.

Posted by: tsarina at October 8, 2009 10:36 AM in response to Collision at Grand Army

my old landlord would send a letter stating that because the lease was not returned the lease would be renewed for the usual renewal time. This confirms the lease and the tenants check confirms the contract.

Posted by: tsarina at September 25, 2009 4:31 PM in response to Tenant Refuses to Return Lease

Perhaps the construction is done at night because there are fewer pedestrians and cars that get in the way of the heavy machinery, therefore making the construction quicker and safer. the noise is unfortunate. Let me tell you about Labor Day weekend in Crown heights!

Posted by: tsarina at September 22, 2009 6:16 PM in response to Sleepless on Livingston

Landlord recommendations can be asked for from the previous 2 or 3 landlords. Agreed the present landlord may say anything to unload them on someone else, but the next to last landlord can tell the truth with no repercussions.

Posted by: tsarina at September 14, 2009 9:54 PM in response to Choosing a Tenant?

Unfortunately bed bugs are everywhere. The building next door has em. around the corner I saw bags labeled with bugs. Web site about bedbugs shows apts with bedbugs, they are everywhere.

You can go crazy with worry about the building next door, but its not going to help. Put a notice up in your building about how to prevent them and /or not to bring stuff in from the street.

as a landlady I worry about them too, and knock on wood (with termites) I wont get them in my building.

Posted by: tsarina at September 3, 2009 9:59 AM in response to Bed Bug Dilemma

SPAM SPAM SPAM ALL POSTERS HAVE NO BACKGROUND INFO

Posted by: tsarina at August 29, 2009 2:48 PM in response to Suntouch Heating Mats Query

The straight steel ladder is for clothes lines. they attach to the ladder with pulleys and connect to the house with another pulley so you can hang your clothes out to dry.

Posted by: tsarina at July 18, 2009 9:51 AM in response to No Fire Escape or Sprinkler?

FYI VEGETAble oil will unstick mice from glue traps. The glue trap is a horrible way to die!!!

Posted by: tsarina at July 16, 2009 7:07 PM in response to Mouse in the House

craigslist - for free . check it out.

Posted by: tsarina at July 6, 2009 11:59 AM in response to Suggestions - moving boxes?

Please give me a call to discuss this matter. i may be able to help you. 212-945-8196

Posted by: tsarina at July 6, 2009 11:58 AM in response to Feral Cats—Help!

If it is stabilized the lease automatically gets renewed. You send a letter stating that because they have not replied to the renewal, and have not given notice of moving, their lease is automatically renewed for 2 years. Some tenants are just lazy and dont return the paperwork. the lease increase is already determined by the begining date of the lease. dont spend more money on lawyers. This is a simple matter. Nolo press has a great book explaining rent stabilized procedures.

Posted by: tsarina at June 15, 2009 10:52 AM in response to Tenant Refusing to Sign Lease

Thank you Chosen for your service to the community and society, and for so eloquently explaining the situation to our inconvienienced parker.

Posted by: tsarina at June 3, 2009 11:26 AM in response to No parking in BedStuy on Thurs.

Eddie's at Grand and greene

Posted by: tsarina at June 2, 2009 2:36 PM in response to Parlor Door

Crown Heights North has some big apartment buildings with massive apartments. If you're stuck on a brownstone then youre stuck with that layout. Also some of the brownstones have extensions and the bottom floor goes out 100 feet. you'll get your separate 2 bedrooms there.

Posted by: tsarina at May 31, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Looking for an Apartment

Multi Strip, and the the better versions - ultra strip, & Tough 2 strip are far better than peel away. takes practice to let it sit long enough to gel and then scrape or dentil pick off. I'm stripping all the hall ways in my brownstone and have tried many strippers. peel away always has this gummy consistency that is crazy to get rid of. Pintchik is the only place around here that has the multi strip line.

Posted by: tsarina at May 11, 2009 9:48 AM in response to Peel Away 6

Bergen tile sold marmoleum and I think they are still in business but not in park slope.

Posted by: tsarina at May 10, 2009 7:17 PM in response to ISO good flooring store

I'll pick it up right now! send me an email at goddaiva@yahoo.com and I'll come right now.!

Posted by: tsarina at April 27, 2009 1:27 PM in response to Bronze Chandelier

Rent control is one thing, rent stabilized is another. You have to own the building as an individual not a corporation to be able to take an apartment for yourself. (believe me i know I made that mistake.) you have to live in the apartment that you evict the tenants from. You can serve the tenant with the notice at the time you are required to serve him with the renewal lease for a rent stabilized tenant. For more info try those Nolo Press books on Landlord Rights. Those cover these issues very well.

Posted by: tsarina at April 8, 2009 9:54 AM in response to Buying a Rent-Stabilized Bldg

Brooklynian.com has great threads that regarding crime and what is happening in the neighborhood. Its a great tool to get info on the neighborhood.

Posted by: tsarina at April 5, 2009 12:53 PM in response to Safety in Prospect Heights

WHAT I LOVE about this building is the ability to walk right up to the front window and look right in!! Now that is a luxury. Its like being in your very own tv show with all the world watching. If this building is any thing like our other favorite building on Grand & Greene, next to Eddie's furniture, then that bottom unit is a studio that only has that one window for light and ventilation. marvelous. that is really living.

Posted by: tsarina at April 4, 2009 2:04 PM in response to Horror Show Friday: 170 Clermont Avenue

PropJoe what the hell is your problem? fEELINg alittle insecure about yourself? need to distance yourself from the pussys and faggots? whats this I always hear about all you guys on the down low? Do you have any idea how stupid you sound?

Posted by: tsarina at April 1, 2009 3:04 PM in response to Getting Mugged in Park Slope

superior tinsmith is the name of the place on 6th street. they are really good and they made a skylight that opens for one of my rental apartments. Getting those parts is really hard. but they had an old one and then I got the stick with the hook that cranks the thing open. good luck!

Posted by: tsarina at March 31, 2009 11:23 AM in response to trying to fix a lantern skylight

try the Vacarro guys under the F train in the Lowe's parking lot off 9th Street first. They are alot cheaper and closer.

Posted by: tsarina at March 26, 2009 4:59 PM in response to Iron Gate for Brownstone

talk to your landlord, I'm sure he or she will be glad to confirm that the backyard is exclusively yours (especially if you are the only one with a door to leading to it. Everyone always covets outdoor space, but garden floor apartments usually have exclusive rights unless there is a common hallway entrance to the yard. Fire escapes are only to be used in a fire, or if you are hanging out for sun or air on your floor. Insurance liability would also preclude using fire escapes as an access except in case of a fire. And no you cannot put planter underneath the ladder.
I had a similar situation but the yard is my neighbors. He had really bad tenants and there was garbage, etc. etc. We had to remove a tree on his property that was going to fall so we opened the fence to take tree debris down my driveway. I offered to clean the yard and plant so I would have a nice view. and his tenants would have a nice view and it would enhance his property since he was looking to sell. And he agreed I would have exclusive access.
After all the back breaking labor, and the yard was looking good, I started to hear grumbling about how it was not my backyard, and some tenants wanted to have a bar--b-q back there. (even a party to profit them selves!!) The land lord said to call the police and have them arrested for trespass if anyone ever went down there.
Yes there are always people who want to help themselves, after all the work is done and its free. but in this case it seems pretty clear that you are the one with access and I'm sure the landlord doesnt want the yard to revert to its previous condition.

Posted by: tsarina at March 20, 2009 11:41 AM in response to Garden Party?

Build it green in Astoria near the Triborough is good too.

Posted by: tsarina at March 2, 2009 10:47 AM in response to Fire doors and sink wanted

Eddies at grand & Greene has shutters. What are your measurements? I got some big ones in the basement. Are you looking for perfectly new or are you good with stuff you need to refinish?

Posted by: tsarina at February 16, 2009 4:51 PM in response to Pocket Shutters

yes my friend owns the "junkyard" next door and by the way there is an actual shipping container house be hind that fence. the house is dilapidated and has been in a legal tussel for a number of years. I just put in a call to see what the deal is.!!!

Posted by: tsarina at January 28, 2009 2:39 PM in response to Foreclosure of the Week: 395 Van Brunt Street

I am interested in your worms. I have a nice basement and will care for them dearly. I miss my old worms from 10 years ago and we have plenty of vegetarians in the building that will help feed them. you can reach me at goddaiva@msn.com

Posted by: tsarina at January 15, 2009 11:49 AM in response to anyone want composting worms?

Ditto with all of you about not wanting to pay for tv. I googled tv anteannas and got that web site that told you exactly what kind of anteanna you need for your address. Then I went to Radio Shack and got some HD/uhf/vhf antenna that even brings in stereo signals for something like 60 bucks and Eventually installed it on the roof and it woorks great.

Posted by: tsarina at November 2, 2008 5:30 PM in response to Broadcast HDTV in Brooklyn

I love painting with aura paint, but recently when i went to do touch ups on some areas the match was way off. This happened twice with two different colors.!!!!
I think this paint is great when applying super deep colors. only 2 coats required instead of endless coats of red or deep orange. but this new developement of no touching up, (2 or 3 months later) is very disturbing. Since I paint for myself and others I will have to think about using it in the future.

Posted by: tsarina at October 29, 2008 4:35 PM in response to Aura paint

Build it Green is Great!!!
I have been going there for 3 years and have gotten new anderson patio doors and windows, Expensive new jacuzzi, marble fountain with gryphons(?) from some old house. It is like a garage sale in that you dont what you will find. One trip might be a bust and the next trip they might have a load of great stuff. You get a tax deduction for donating stuff and its worth your while to check it out and see what they have. Great stuff goes fast because the prices are low. They have some stoves left from some luxury rentals that are being converted into a hotel.

Posted by: tsarina at October 20, 2008 10:55 AM in response to BUILD IT GREEN NYC

Oops, Asking $750. for the pair. They are really nice.

Posted by: tsarina at August 20, 2008 7:28 PM in response to Pocket Doors

Well I would also like it . goddaiva@msn.com or 212-945-8196

Posted by: tsarina at August 20, 2008 2:17 PM in response to trash can up for grabs

not to be snarky but.. didn't they say it was a benefit - hence those prices.

Posted by: tsarina at August 13, 2008 9:47 AM in response to Fencing In Bob Dylan

15th street between 2nd and 3rd avenue in Gowanus. Metal Salvage place on north side of street, italian name can't remember it.

Posted by: tsarina at July 30, 2008 4:05 PM in response to Need an original Brownstone (under-stoop) Gate

I'd like to know if he's go another apartment available and if he'd upgrade the appliance to an Aga Range and Traulsen fridge and freezer.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at November 2, 2009 3:03 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

Hmmm...the initial posting said:

" I am a landlord who recently got a new tenant. When showing him the apartment initially, he asked if we would install a new rainshower shower head in the bathroom, and I agreed to do it, as I like to improve my properties.

..followed later by...

"Just an update on what I posted: I had a whole thermostatic system installed, not just a showerhead, as long as I updated the shower."

This is a classic case of a one sided story. I have no idea what really is going on here, but "guesting" is undoubtedly holding back on some relevant details. The first post said the tenant-to-be asked for a shower head. In the 2nd post it's upgraded to a thermostatic shower system.

If I had to completely guess, I'd say that the tenant asked for a shower head and you took it upon yourself to do a major plumbing overhaul, and the tenant is reasonably upset. This is only a guess but it seems to fit the facts better than what was presented here.

P.S. Showering at someone else's place for two weeks isn't quite a minor inconvenient. Go ahead, try it yourselves for the next two weeks. I'll wait :-) If someone did agree to this they are a 1st class idiot or have lots of free time on their hands.

Posted by: northridger at November 2, 2009 3:08 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

northridger summed it up much better than I did.

Posted by: Brokedeveloper at November 2, 2009 4:12 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

CMU- only in that he asked for the showerhead. IMHO the LL wanted to put it in the right way but trying to accommodate the tenant's request. You know- sometimes people do try to do a nice thing. Go figure.

I don't see why the OP is being taken to task for that. He didn't ask for an increase in rent, he tried to do what the tenant specifically asked for, it cost him money, and now he's the bad guy? I guess I just don't have that sense of entitlement.

northridger- in fact I have done that. When my old bathroom had to be redone and it took a week longer than they thought it would. I just went and showered at a friend's house- no big deal. I wound up with a bathroom that was beautiful, and wasn't charged more rent. I was happy to put up with a little inconvenience. IT takes time to do reno work. This "everyone must pay for my inconvenience" bs is just that- bs.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 2, 2009 5:04 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

You renovate on your time not when the tenant is paying you. What yours is yours and what is his is yours also!

Posted by: hannible at November 2, 2009 5:16 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

At renewal time give this guy the boot!

Posted by: starfish1948 at November 2, 2009 5:47 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

"I informed him of how the renovation would proceed, and he assured me that it was no problem, he could shower at his cousins or the gym and kept assuring me throughout the job that it was no problem."

there's 3 sides to every story lets put away our gavels and comment on the one presented.

Op I really dont see an issue if he kept assuring you that it's not a problem. The guy sees that you don't have a problem with spending, so he stuck out his hand around the first of the month. Slap him some skin.

Bx, BOT is like full time job. I really do have a hard time lurking. I'll stop by :)

You should come to AHOT too its not bad. Plus there's like 50 different ways to flip up the bird if someone pisses you off.

Posted by: jack slade at November 2, 2009 5:57 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

Well, there are three sides to every story, and we are only hearing one... the whole enterprise is something op should've just said no to.....or at least told the tenant that he/she would not be liable for any inconvenience on the tenant's part and that the only way he would consider the upgrade would be to do it his/her way, complete with thermostatic rain element or whatever you call this kind of water wasting thingamabob. If I were the tenant, I'd think, ok, the landlord did what I asked, but he's a little nutty and goes overboard so I'll have to remember that in the future; if I were the landlord, I would have said NO in the first place, and now I'd give the tenant a choice: 1) cut the nonsense, 2) pay the cost of the rainforest system, 3) get ready to take showers at your friend's house for another two weeks while I put the old shower head back. Else move.

Posted by: raphael9 at November 2, 2009 6:03 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

Were you discounted rent for your inconvenience? If not, that's too bad. Entitlement is not in the contract. A shower is. Even homeless people that check into shelters are "entitled" to a shower and a bed once signed in! Prisoners get shower...three hots, and a cot! What the hell! LOL.

This story is bogus. The landlord did this for his own benefit, it doesn't add up.

As I stated...my rent was DEDUCTED FOR MY SHOWER. Not discounted. I did not pay rent for 15 days, not questions...it was offered. That is business, not a favor or entitlement. And I had another shower, but that was not what I was paying for. I was paying for 2 showers, not one. You guys act like rent is a gift when you use words like "entitlement".

Plus, the whole story isn't being told here. What's missing...why was the shower replaced?

Posted by: cillmylandlord_again at November 2, 2009 6:04 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?

wow- I'm all for tenants rights and property is theft and whatever else, but the LL seems 110% in the clear on this one. The tenant wanted the shower, they knew how long it was going to take, they were okay with it...

...and then they started bitching afterwards? Sure, they can ask for free money, but I'd say no, and I probably wouldn't renew their lease at renewal time. Or at least jack their rent.

Posted by: bfarwell at November 2, 2009 7:11 PM in response to Tenant Compensation?