Certificate of No Harassment Advice
Hello. I’m a brand new member to this forum. I’m hoping to get some information/advice on getting a Certificate of No Harassment and renovating my brownstone. The brownstone is located in Brooklyn and is a mixed use building. The top floors are listed as furnished rooms. I have not had any tenants in this building…
Hello. I’m a brand new member to this forum. I’m hoping to get some information/advice on getting a Certificate of No Harassment and renovating my brownstone.
The brownstone is located in Brooklyn and is a mixed use building. The top floors are listed as furnished rooms. I have not had any tenants in this building for almost 3 years! I have the application for the Certificate of No Harassment and it says the period of inquiry is 3 years. Would it be better to wait until I have 3 years of tax returns that reflect the building being vacant and THEN file for the Certificate? Or should I just do it now? I have no idea where any of the past tenants are. Is there someone, like a lawyer, who could tell me what would be the best option? I have no intention of EVER renting any of those SRO units.
Been there; done that. What’s your CofO? If it’s a Class B (SRO)–you need to go through the whole process. DOB will not give you a permit w/o the CONH.
Miss Watson at HPD actually a nice person, but overworked and gives you little time. Do the form, give’em your check and start the big wait. HPD sends letters to all former tenants addressed to them at your building address hoping PO has forwarding info on file and forwards it. If you know where a former tenant lives now—DON’T volunteer the info. HPD inspector will visit the building to 1) see if anyone else living there 2) interview any remaining tenants and 3)the kiss of death—if the rooms are illegal (have both a kit and bath) notifies DOB who then comes in a writes you up for illegal use. You have to either restore to orginal approved use or file plans for conversion. Big hassle, try to get HPD to agree to a stip for conversion to avoid horrendous fines–get it knocked down to 10-20% of original fine.
I went through 1-2-3 above with HPD and DOB. Took me 9 mos to get CONH and another 10 weeks to get DOB permit.
Don’t recommend you wait three years. Also, don’t do as I did—start with your architect immediately so that you have finished plans ready to file the day the CONH letter arrives in the mail. You can even submit your plans to DOB ahead of receiving CONH who will reject plan for no CONH, but if they find other plan issues in the interim,you can correct on the revised plan submission when you attach your CONH
It would be helpful to understand specifically what work you are planning to do. It may be possible to get you well into the project while you wait. If you are close to 3 years, it probably makes sense to wait. We are a law firm which handles certificates of no-harrassment. Please feel free to contact me: marcus@marcusattorneys.com
Non SRO buildings do not need thos certificate. No.
Is this Certificate required in non-SRO buildings also that are to be converted from multi to single family??
good advice for me..thanks a lot
You are mostly going to have to hire a lawyer that specilizes in this, unless you have alot of time on your hands.
waiting the 3 years sounds good. try to get a waiver first and foremost. if you have to track down the tenants get ready to wait.
Did you check with HPD ? You gotta go down there at 100 Gold Street in Manhattan. Area is across from Police Plaza roght off the Brooklyn Bridge. Accessible by train as well at chambers street / brooklyn bridge / city hall stations at rear of municipal building thru 1 police plaza and across the street