Choosing the right tenant is one of the most important decisions an owner can make. The right tenants pay their rent on time, do not cause any legal problems, and keep their apartments in good condition. To choose the best tenant among applicants, an owner should rely on a thorough screening...
On April 22, 2010, a new federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead-based paint rule called “The Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule” took effect. The new rule requires owners to follow lead safe work practices when disturbing a painted surface in pre-1978 housing and child...
It is time-consuming to go to the Environmental Control Board to fight a recycling violation you may get from the city's Department of Sanitation (DOS). If you are like most owners, you probably just pay the fine. But with fines for each violation ranging from $25 to $500, the costs can add...
Suppose you find out that an elderly tenant has moved to a nursing home or senior citizens' facility. But the tenant has not given up his rent-regulated apartment in your building. Perhaps the tenant—or his family—doesn't want to face up to the fact that he'll never be...
Winter weather creates hazardous conditions that can be extremely dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians. And while there are city agencies responsible for monitoring and dealing with the side effects of freezing temperatures and winter storms on public roadways, taking care of slippery...
According to a report by the Pratt Center for Community Development, there are more than 100,000 units of illegally converted housing in the city. And Queens has the highest concentration of any borough, with 48,000 illegal apartments. An illegal conversion is the creation of one or more...
On Oct. 22, 2009, New York State's highest court dealt a devastating blow to the owners of the Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village complexes in Manhattan when it ruled that they improperly began charging market rents on thousands of apartments. In a 4-to-2 decision, the court said that...
As Christmas approaches, many of your tenants will be setting up Christmas trees in their apartments. While a beautifully decorated tree can add to the holiday spirit and help create a fragrant indoor atmosphere, Christmas trees can also pose a serious fire hazard to tenants' apartments as...
On Sept. 3, 2009, Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a new local law that requires the uniform color-coding of standpipe and sprinkler systems, and professional certification that these...
As winter approaches, heat and hot water complaints probably will be the most common type of service complaint you will face. A tenant may complain to the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) of a problem in his apartment. Or a group of tenants may organize and file a building-wide...
After last year's two unfortunate crane accidents, the New York City's Department of Buildings (DOB) is making increased efforts to better manage its resources and increase the supervision of its inspectors. Now, the DOB has begun a program in which all of the DOB's crane and...
Asbestos exposure has long been linked to an increase risk of cancer, particularly for workers in construction jobs involving the use of asbestos materials. Asbestos was used as a fire-retardant insulation in the construction of buildings long before it was known to pose severe environmental and...
