Landlord Neglected Building
I live in a rental walk-up on Myrtle Ave. The common area of the building has been very neglected. It is always very dirty and stinky; there was a giant shower-like leak in the stairwell; the light bulbs aren’t changed once they are burned out; and where there was a leak, which was “repaired” (it…
I live in a rental walk-up on Myrtle Ave. The common area of the building has been very neglected. It is always very dirty and stinky; there was a giant shower-like leak in the stairwell; the light bulbs aren’t changed once they are burned out; and where there was a leak, which was “repaired” (it still drips often), there is a hole with mold-like colors, aside from nasty leak stains and random plaster chunks that fall out. The front door is also very hard to open, as it gets stuck. I have told my landlord various times about the plaster, leak, etc. But he doesn’t clean the mess/residue nor fix the problem. How do I get him to fix this? Should I call someone to inspect the building? Is there somewhere I can report a neglected building? I can take more pictures and post them to show the situation. He just does not respond! Even after I told him that chunks of plaster were falling on me as I enter/exit the building. Does anyone have any idea on how I should handle this situation? I am paying good money for rent (my apartment inside is not bad), but the common area of the building is a disaster!
OP mentions, “The building is rent controlled . . .”
Possibilities:
1. This happened to a friend in a rent controlled building — the landlord purposely let things happen so the tenants would move and the rent-control status would be removed. (This isn’t legal but some people find a way.)
2. When one can’t get response from owner who lives far away: the landlord may be having troubles of his/her own and not dealing with business right now. We had once instance of this where the “super” was drinking and not taking care of the absent owner’s business. The landlord had personal problems and was in no position to check on the super.
3. About lightbulbs — we also had an instance where light bulbs were disappearing. Drug dealing tenants were removing them so light would not shine on their activities.
“I am sure that if Adami were here, he would know the situation and would fix it, but in his absence things have gotten out of control”
Cut out the middleman and send the landlord a certified letter with pictures.
He is in fact the landlord, as I previously mentioned. The situation is the following because he is not currently residing in NYC, so in the absence of the owner, the super is the one taking responsibility of all matters concerning the building. I am sure that if Adami were here, he would know the situation and would fix it, but in his absence things have gotten out of control
“because he runs True Value Hardware.”
“The landlord is Albert Adami.”
Mind posting your info- since you effortlessly seem to spew that of others.
The City-Wide Task Force on Housing Court has an information table at Brooklyn Housing Court, where you can speak with someone in person. 141 Livingston Street, Room 202, M-F 9am to 12 noon. Or you can call them at 212-962-4795 or the Metropolitan Council on Housing at 212-979-0611. See also: http://www.cwtfhc.org/faq
The thing is- he is the super! And I know he has all the necessary tools and equipment he needs to make repairs because he runs True Value Hardware. The landlord is Albert Adami, but he resides in Florida, so the super is the one giving me problems, but he acts as the landlord in the absence of the actual one.
If it weren’t for the NY rent laws, your landlord would make enough to hire a super and make the necessary repairs.
I suggest you petition the state and write your local rep suggest the rent laws be abolished. . .
Thanks again guys! I don’t know why I hadn’t posted anything sooner. I’m doing research and gaining the strength to stand up to him once more, maybe the suing scare will work 😉 I know it’s just a walkup, I don’t have super high standards, and by no means would I want to live anywhere ritzy, but this place is a health hazard. The building is rent controlled so the rent can’t possibly escalate too much- I’m under suspicion that I’m paying more than the other tenants anyways, which is maybe why they haven’t voiced any complaints. My fear for reporting it to the Department of Housing is that I have to give my name- and if he finds out it was me, maybe he will be even sleazier. I wonder if anyone else has had a negative experience with this guy?
Years ago I lived on the LES and the bulbs were always burning out in the hallway of my 5th fl walk up. What finally solved it was when I called the landlord for the millionth time requesting that a bulb be replaced and said that I was worried someone visiting the building might hurt themselves and then sue the landlord.
A flourescent light was installed the next day.