Problem With RC Tenant
I own a house with a rent control tenant, yes I know, who thinks he can do whatever he wishes and does this…among other things! After discovering that he hands out, and has been handing out for years, front door keys to whomever he likes so he does not have to come down the one…
I own a house with a rent control tenant, yes I know, who thinks he can do whatever he wishes and does this…among other things! After discovering that he hands out, and has been handing out for years, front door keys to whomever he likes so he does not have to come down the one flight to let his people in. I changed the front door lock. You know, the lock with keys where you need a card that authorizes you to make a copy. I gave him two keys as required by law, thinking at least that not everyone had keys to my house. So now he puts one key in the mailbox and hands out copies of the mailbox key to who knows. After informing him about jeopardizing the security of the building, etc, etc, I was told “F†you! Not my problem! While I try to figure out how and who can help me get these people out of my house, can anyone suggest a way for me to short circuit this S.O.B. and protect my wife and kids and MY property from strangers in the hall.
Side note; Any housing lawyer recommendations would be appreciated as well. I have evidence, pictures and recordings as backup. Yes, its bad.
Thanks!
rtg, you’re being ridiculous. OP said he did speak to the tenant and the tenant told him to f*uck off. Now OP is looking for advice b/c tenant refuses to address what could be a dangerous situation for owner’s family and his other tenants. I wonder how you’d like it if strangers had keys to your house and could pass them on to whomever? I’m sure you’d take a different tone.
OP’s post didn’t come off as being high and mighty, and he said nothing about his tenant ordering delivery or having friends over. Lack of building security is a legitimate complaint, whether you think so or not. Also, rtg, this is NYC, not Kansas. Do you leave your doors unlocked, ever? This is in effect what you’re telling OP to do, so stop with the “gated community” nonsense.
OP, it seems the tenant has no respect for you, your family or your other tenants. No one is entitled to act like an asshole and possibly endanger others’ safety. Maybe a lawyer can help you address this specific issue in the short term. Meanwhile, I’d follow DIBS advice and keep taking that key out of the mailbox, and charging them to replace it. This isn’t the best way to remedy the situation, but based on what you’ve described, it seems the tenant will likely circumvent any other system you try to put in place.
Finally, it is against the law for rent stabilized tenants to make money off of their apartment. Years ago I rented a room in a 3 bedroom apartment in Manhattan. Total legal rent for apartment? $400. Tenant was charging me $700 for tiny bedroom, $850 to another person for larger bedroom, and living in the third bedroom himself. He got caught and when we subtenants went to court, we were refunded our rent payments minus what our fair share of $400 per month would have been, $133.33 per month each. Maybe the laws have changed since then, as this was in 1990.
Sorry — that should be http://www.spony.org
Join the Small Property Owners of New York — they can help you with these situations. (www.spony.com)
My story caused a flame thrower fury? I don’t think so. Why do I get blamed for evberything? Rob thinks I’m just making stuff up anyway.
I say, ignore all suggestions except for the ones that advise consulting an attorney who is well versed in this area of law. He/she is the only person who can give you the tools you need to deal with this problem legally and advise you on what to do so that you don’t screw yourself in the end.
A RC tenant can have roommates who pay rent. However, if the tenant charges more than their share of costs, then I believe its a violation of the lease. The tenant cant make a profit.
I’m going from memory, not research here, so take it with a grain of salt. Also, it doesnt factor in the difficulties of evicting a poor RC tenant in housing court b/c judges give them every benefit.
yeah, get a buzzer. it’s a really easy solution to a minor problem. the excuse that then the tenant will just buzz in whomever is pretty weak. buzzer buildings is a pretty common situation in the city, certainly not mortally dangerous. if you are that scared of the people in your neighborhood, you might be better suited to a gated community.
first, you need to deal with the fact that this is your fault. you seriously should think more before you buy. if you don’t like people walking through your building, than you shouldn’t have bought a building with tenants and public space. we all know that you got the building for cheaper because of the rent control tenant. now you have to deal with the negative part of that equation.
next, you should get off your high horse. it is your building, but the tenant was there first (and you bought into that situation) and is allowed to have a life, order delivery, have friends come to his house, etc etc. I think it is pretty lame to assume that the tenant is a security risk to “the family” because his friends and acquaintances are strangers to you. Grow a pair, for sure!
I have much more respect for the landlords that discuss issues with tenants (not threaten and demand) and work out a compromise…I deal with landlords every day at work and the ones who learn how to treat their tenants like people instead of pests usually can mend most situations to their benefit. Of course, paying out the nose for a lawyer for a year of hellish adjournments only to have a judge remind you of the tenant’s rights is another way to go….part of me hopes this guy has a kid with sucession rights…
Can the flame war and the off-topic discussion about Sam’s story move to the Open Thread please?
Anyone else have any advice for the OP’s specific situation?
“I bought the house with him in it”
BIG mistake.