Tenants rights re: landords forcing construction/altering the apartment?

Hi there. My husband and I moved into a 2 bedroom apartment in a new-ish building just 3 weeks ago. We have an outdoor deck off of our living room, which is also part of the roof.

Our landlord just informed us today he is going to build a whole new addition/bedroom to our apartment on part of the deck, seemingly whether we like it or not. Kind of amazing they never mentioned that when we were just signing our lease…

So they will need to build a new outdoor space with a roof that somehow conjoins with our unit. The guy was like “Hey, lucky you! You get more space now!” We asked if he had some plans he could show us and he said “It’s all in my head! I built this building, it’s gonna be beautiful!” Any questions seemed to fall on deaf ears as he continued to tell us of what he was planning to do in a few weeks.

It would change the whole look of the apartment, which is currently a nice, open space, get rid of our sunlight, our views, and give us space we don’t need or want. Nevermind we’re sure they’ll want to mega-increase the rent at the end of our lease as it will be a 3 bedroom, no longer a 2 bedroom.

We also aren’t happy about being forced to live in a construction site… that’s for our particular unit. It’s one thing to grin and bear general construction- but this is our entire apartment layout that he’s wanting to change, not what we signed up for at all. It feels like a very deceptive and classic bait-n-switch.

This seems totally insane to me- is it even legal?? We have no idea of what to do. Seems even if we fight it, or get a lawyer, that will guarantee we’ll have to move, again, at the end of the year. UGH, what a jerkface. Help!

pookshill

in Real Estate - Rentals 13 years and 11 months ago

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bxgrl | 13 years and 11 months ago

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I used to be the super for my former apartment building and to the best of my knowledge, he cannot decide to arbitrarily do major construction in your apartment. Your lease gives a landlord access for repairs and emergencies (repairs require notice- they can’t just drop in). But major construction? Only if the  roof is about to crash in. tralk to a lawyer, and check out the links Vinca published.

curiositykilledthecat | 13 years and 11 months ago

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This sounds completely absurd, and I can only come up with 2 theories:

1.  You are somehow misunderstanding what your landlord is saying.  Could he mean “one day I want to….” or “I was going to do x and y, but made this one a 2-bedroom instead”?  A stretch, I know, but maybe?

2.  Your landlord is insane.  He has control issues and/or has no understanding of boundaries.  We are landlords, and would never presume to do so much as paint our tenants’ front door unless it was both completely agreed-upon and completely necessary.  Any major construction that isn’t absolutely required (for safety issues, for example) should ONLY be done between tenants.  You should focus on getting out of your lease, if possible, or make plans to move as soon as your lease is up.

Good luck.

vinca | 13 years and 11 months ago

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In addition to checking DOB bisweb for whether your LL has permits for construction (unlikely), most leases cover, and restrict, landlord access. Consult one of the many free resources available for specific instruction on dealing with this matter:
Housing Court Help Center: http://1.usa.gov/d9g5MZ
Citywide Task Force on Housing: http://bit.ly/e4gWnH
South Brooklyn Legal Services: http://bit.ly/a4J8bH

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 11 months ago

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No, you don’t want this going on while you are there and you don’t have to put up with it.

When the LL says “it’s all in his head,” that’s a recipe for disaster and more than likely not permitted work.  So, as limestone cowboy  (great name) said, hold him ransom.  Come up with a number (a large one) that you’d be comfortable with to move (a very painful process in and of itself) and offer him that. Then present the alternative option of reporting the work to the DOB.  If he progresses and winds up doing something ridiculous and unsafe, and you report him, you may find yourself with a vacate order, which will be the worst of all worlds.

pookshill | 13 years and 11 months ago

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Thanks so much, everyone- this is all really helpful and we appreciate it so much.

Jorge Fontan | 13 years and 11 months ago

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What I find funny is that he said it is all in his head. I do not think the department of buildings will accept that as an answer … I am sure he has an architect who has drawn this up and if not he isn’t doing it legally. I think you can ask to see the architects drawings and even ask to meet them to discuss the addition.

northofditmas | 13 years and 11 months ago

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You should make it clear to the LL that you do not condone this in any way and intend to stop it.  Being realistic and not wanting to have to miss work to go to court, decide what your price is.  Something between 5K and 10K.  Your landlord will want to proceed anyway so tell them that you will leave if paid x price and if not that you intend to fight by any means necessary.  Get the money or start to fight.  This battle has two fronts: you go to housing court based on the right to quiet enjoyment.  The other front is the DOB.  Like Totoro said, check online for permits.  If there are none than call 311 on day 1 of construction and get it shut down.

Townie | 13 years and 11 months ago

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Google   “**DOB** **B**uilding **I**nformation **S**earch” and type in your address.   You can see if the work has been filed for and get additional info including complaints.