Who should I call for help?

Hi Richard – I spoke with Paul over at Menaker & Hermann 20 minutes ago and he thought it would be premature to draft a letter to the landlord. We agreed if they showed up and encroached – I would call 311 and request a DOB inspector and also call Paul back. Thanks for the suggestion.

Guest User | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Guest User | 7 years and 5 months ago

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I think my neighbor is going to do major construction (new stoop, new bricks, new sidewalk) on his house. When that occurs, he will attempt to build on my side of the party wall and house. I have someone coming over on Tuesday to do a survey. Who can I call if this happens: 911/police, 311 (which department does 311 call)? Thanks.

yudashasom | 7 years and 5 months ago

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You’re nuts

mozeeatupu | 7 years and 5 months ago

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You call 311 and file a complaint that goes to DOB

Guest User | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Why do you say i’m nuts no-permitz?

slopefarm | 7 years and 5 months ago

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It’s not an emergency. Don’t call 911. I think you can do 311 online as well as calling. Not sure if you can upload pictures, but if you can, you should. take lots of pictures.

Also, if you have a survey, communicate (email might be good so you have a record) with your neighbor about where the line is. I think a bunch of us are curious what the neighbor has done that makes you so sure he’s going to buld over the line.

Guest User | 7 years and 5 months ago

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All due respect – it’s a very long story. I just want to be prepared in the event that this does take place. This is the reason why I am having a survey done tomorrow at 9am.

RobertGMarvin

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 7 years and 5 months ago

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If it comes to it couldn’t you just stand in the space and block the trespass, while calling 911?

Guest User | 7 years and 5 months ago

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If its the stoop I could. If it’s the brick and on the 2nd floor – I could take pictures / video and then call 911.

namahs | 7 years and 5 months ago

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@outshine Can’t you just issue your concerns to your neighbor regarding this?

Guest User | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Were past that – if they come on my property – I will try to stop them and then sue. I don’ want any part of this – just need to be prepared.

slopefarm | 7 years and 5 months ago

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You cannot unreasonably deny them access to your property to work on theirs. You can insist on insurance, indemnification, etc. as a condition but you do not have grounds to deny access outright to do lawful work on their property.

That is a separate question from whether they are trying to construct a trespassing structure, which you have every right to prevent, including by all the steps you are taking. . Be careful about denying access for reasonable work, as you may not be on firm footing.

RobertGMarvin

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 7 years and 5 months ago

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Isn’t it considered better to deny access to a hostile neighbor, force them to go to court, and have access subject to court supervision?

robyim1 | 7 years and 5 months ago

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jeez.. can people improve their property without their neighbor calling 911 on them?

robyim1 | 7 years and 5 months ago

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jeez.. can people improve their property without their neighbor calling 911 on them?

slopefarm | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Bob – assuming the neighbor is really hostile, i think you still are better off teeing it up. First try to engage and negotiate terms of access in advance – indemnification, insurance, and, of course, agreement on where the build will be so it does not encroach on the OP’s property. Make a record of those efforts. If there is no agreement, then deny access, so that when the neighbor goes to court you have a record of how you tried to reasonably work things out. Better to have not court supervision but a court order directing the neighbor not to build on your property and to follow the survey.

Of course, the “risk” in such a strategy is you might work things out and not have to go to court.

slopefarm | 7 years and 5 months ago

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I mean not just court supervision

Guest User | 7 years and 5 months ago

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I just call the customer service unit of the DOB to ask the same question. They advised to call 311 and refer my complaint to a NYC DOB inspector.

Guest User | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Survey is completed.

daveinbedstuy | 7 years and 5 months ago

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Does it show any encroachments?