violations warnings DOB ECB etc

We were approached by Jack and Jaffa associates telling us that through their own developed software they are aware of building violations before they even go into effect. For a fee you can subscribe to their services and eliminate a potential problem before it becomes a big fine. I saw an article in the NY Times with an interview. Does anybody here have any experience with these folks? Sounds … well, sounds strange. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/realestate/commercial/the-30-minute-interview-jack-y-jaffa.html

coopfornow

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 12 years and 3 months ago

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fractalogical | 12 years and 3 months ago

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I used Jaffa and Jaffa to resolve a large pile of DOB and ECB violations racked up by the previous owner. They did a great job. I would not recommend trying to navigate the DOB bureaucracy without the help of a professional.

Townie | 12 years and 3 months ago

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It’s not a scam.  However you, a self managed multi family building owner, can do the same thing by going to the DOB BIS site and dragging the link to your property on to  your desk top of your computer and ever so often click and check out if any complaints have been made.   What this company is promoting is that if you are made aware of a complaint asap you would have time to address the problem before an inspector could gain acess, maybe a day or two, and remedy the situation.   For instance, if a 311 complaint was made about ilegal storage in a cellar boiler room you would be alerted and you could take care of the problem imediately preventing a possible violation and fine.

coopfornow | 12 years and 3 months ago

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I am having a hard time finding information about violations on-line. Are they all supposed to be publicly available that way or does one actually have to pursue information with the appropriate agencies?

eme1million | 12 years and 3 months ago

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As is typical here, people jump to conclusions and assume the worst intentions.  Complaints and violations occur even with permitted jobs done with architects and contractors. I have a violation on my building due to a filing error made by a licensed electrician on a permitted job.  I was just made aware of it yesterday when i had a licensed electrician come to provide a proposal for new work.  The violations is almost 10 years old and I had no idea it existed.  So, for someone owning a large building, or several buidlings, this service could be very helpful.

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Scam.     Besides, a complaint is not a violation.

coopfornow | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Thanks. It did sound weird. Very strange to get a sollicitation like this. Suspicious: immediately they informed us of a complaint which we were not aware of.

greenmountain | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Let me get this straight:  If you want to do something which requires a permit, but you don’t want to pay an architect to file the job, nor a licensed contractor to pull the permit, and you don’t care if your workers have compensation insurance or pay taxes, you can start the job and see if somebody complains?  And if somebody does complain, you can quickly put things back the way they were before the inspector arrives?  Well, that seems like a responsible community service!