Illegal Washer Dryer
My rent controlled tenant has installed a washer dryer. This is causing sinks to back up, creates noise to the tenants below her, and could cause a massive flood if it overlowed. Anyone have any tips on how I can get her to remove it. I’ve already given her a letter explaining why I want…
My rent controlled tenant has installed a washer dryer. This is causing sinks to back up, creates noise to the tenants below her, and could cause a massive flood if it overlowed. Anyone have any tips on how I can get her to remove it. I’ve already given her a letter explaining why I want it removed but she simply refuses. I’d prefer not to just consult a lawyer. thx.
commenting on CUSTOM METAL PRODUCTS. You do not know me to say that i’m a one time wonder when it comes to commenting on the work a company has done for me. Sorry that CUSTOM METAL PRODUCTS wasn’t to your standards however, they met my standatds. I’m going to give credit where credit is due. You can say what you want however, if you don’t have nothing nice to say about a blogger, don’t say nothing at all! If its your “duty” to bash the company, then stick to that. NOT THE BLOGGERS!
unfortunately, in nyc tenants always have the upper hand. a trip to brooklyn housing court should be required of buyers of multi-family property. my experience has led me to believe that rent controlled tenants use intimidation since they know that the system gives them more rights to your property than you. be firm & don’t let them get away w/ anything you wouldn’t allow any other tenant to do. make sure you file for your rent increases each year.
be very meticulous about documenting behavior you believe is in “violation” of their tenancy. perhaps they’ll change if they know they are being videotaped.
our wonderful city council has passed laws protecting tenants from harassment but turned a blind eye to the fact that a great deal of such harassment is done by tenants. eviction may be difficult & expensive but peace of mind is priceless.
This thread obviously strikes a very real and common problem despite its washer beginnings. I too, live in the house I pay for with my family, but a rent controlled tenant controls the house! How many documented facts does it take before I can regain possession of my property? What line must be crossed before I can achieve a peaceful place to raise my kids without the vulgar atmosphere that permeates my hallways? Where can I find where the legal line is?
Anybody?
Brooklynnative,
i also have a rent controlled tenant w/ a disposition similar to your tenant. i think he has 311 on speed dial. he’s called everyday in jan & feb for the past two years for heat. I know there’s no problem so i just ignore him. the last inspection by hpd resulted in a violation for an illegal alteration. the tenant did the work so now were in court.
my two cents is to not give in re the washing machine, especially since you mentioned that she’s reluctant to go back to court. the advice of 2:41 was on point. i’d strongly suggest hiring an atty to handle this as failure to dot i & cross t will result in dismissal of your case.
guest 2:03,
no tenant has a right to install satellite dishes on the roof or any other common area of the building. demand that it be removed or just cut the wires yourself. there are housing court cases in support of this.
Best of luck to you, Brooklynnative, and to everyone with tenants who has posted here.
What a nightmare. Yours is a multi-family building which is different but it is reminding me how I never understood why people buy brownstones in which they have to have a tenant. You can get mostly great tenants but then it only takes one awful tenant to do serious damage to your emotional well-being, your sense of peace and happiness in your own home, and to your finances. Non RC tenants can be evicted eventually but still the process is long, expensive and destructive to one’s own life at home. Ugh. The idea of a screaming crazy person living in MY own home, forget it. We got a one-family house and though we don’t have the security knowing we’d always earn rental income, I never regret it. Plus who has the time to look after a tenant? I don’t. Anyway, just my ruminations. Again good luck to you all!
Final thought – the way I would look at it and would hope a judge sees it this way too, is it’s not the tenant who would have to pay for water or sewer damage if her washer overflows or doesn’t drain properly. It’s the landlord. And whoever is taking that financial responsibility should be the one who gets to call the shots! It’s so logical and simple.
I didn’t have a lawyer help me. The lawyer I called basically told me no more than it would be about $2000 to use him.
What I did was I went to Housing Court and spoke with an attorney who offers “information” to pro-se litigants. He was obviously there only to help tenants because landlords, by definition, are the scum of the earth and should be all shot on sight. However, by using the types of dirty tricks landlords are famous for, I extracted the information I needed from him – the names of the pleadings I needed to file.
Seriously, I’ve spent countless hours with the NYDHCR, speaking with staff memebers of my state senator and representative, and I am lawyer. That is how I’ve figured out what I need to do. Even then, I’ll probably consult a housing attorney before filing the Notice of Termination.
Finally, I think it’s really important that elected representatives hear from landlords that try and do the right thing, so they understand we are not all blood sucking leeches. Defintely put a call in to your state senator and representative. Let them know you know who they are and are watching how they vote on landlord-tenant issues.
Good luck.
Brooklynative – would you mind sharing the name of the lawyer you find to help you, I have been looking. I have exactly the same problem, 4 family, crazy bad tenant, washer and all.
thx
I am happy you found a solution.
I am happy you found a solution.