What is the TRUE reason for illegal rentals in Brookhaven? (Denmark: apartment, house) - City-Data Forum

3Villager · 03-28-2012, 01:08 PM

We have all heard of the lack of affordable housing on Long Island, which is very un fortunate for very many people. My question is perhaps naive, but are LLs not registering their rentals in Brookhaven town because their property taxes will go through the roof if they do? I am currently renting a house that is listed with the building department as a multi-family, but there are no rental permits on either of the two units, one electric meter, one furnace, etc. I had no idea this was illegal when I rented it (not through a realtor). I am desperately searching for another place upstate (need to get off the Island at this point) and would like to just end this situation once and for all. Won't go into all the gory details of trying to get stuffed fixed from this slumlord who just comes around at the 1st of the month with his hand out. He's paying under $7,000/yr property taxes on over 5,000 sq. ft. dwelling on 3 acres in Brookhaven. If I file a complaint with the building dept once I have a placed lined up, will the property taxes be reassessed? There are also multiple code violations on the exterior of the property, accessory structures such as an 8 car garage, barn, etc. that I just bet there are no co's for. Having been a homeowner in the past, I paid more than double what this property is being taxed at, and was just wondering if this is the reason he has no co's or permits.

kayfouroh · 03-28-2012, 01:10 PM

Seriously??

Money.

FrmlyBklyn · 03-28-2012, 01:19 PM

It's a way for people to keep other people from stealing their money - can you imagine how high the public sectors pay would rise if they reassessed all the property taxes skyward?

kayo_michael · 03-28-2012, 01:22 PM

Money. I think someone else already said it.

kayo_michael · 03-28-2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrmlyBklyn

It's a way for people to keep other people from stealing their money - can you imagine how high the public sectors pay would rise if they reassessed all the property taxes skyward?

Wrong. If the property was properly assessed, that would not cause the budget to go up. Actually, you tax liability would go down since more burden would be put on those multi-family units with 8 car garages.

3Villager · 03-28-2012, 01:33 PM

What I really want to know is if I send in the complaint form after I have a place lined up, after the building dept comes, will his taxes be automatically reassessed?

kayo_michael · 03-28-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Villager

What I really want to know is if I send in the complaint form after I have a place lined up, after the building dept comes, will his taxes be automatically reassessed?

I'm not an expert, but I think the answer is "no."

The town will slap the owner with a fine (like $50 or something) and tell him not to do it again.

rocafeller05 · 03-28-2012, 02:04 PM

The LL will just remove the stove in the one apartment and say that its a single home dwelling. Done.

3Villager · 03-28-2012, 02:24 PM

According to TOB building dept, its on books as "multifamily year round dwelling", but illegal because he has no rental permit. They are chomping at the bit to let me have them come inspect regarding firewalls and a bunch of other stuff. So its listed as multifamily, so I don't think removing stove would do the trick. Why would they not want to reassess to collect additional revenue? Also, can I get him for unreported income? House is not in his name, and he does not deposit my checks into his account, it gets deposited in someone elses acct. Somethings fishy in Denmark...

I_Love_LI_but · 03-28-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Villager

According to TOB building dept, its on books as "multifamily year round dwelling", but illegal because he has no rental permit. They are chomping at the bit to let me have them come inspect regarding firewalls and a bunch of other stuff. So its listed as multifamily, so I don't think removing stove would do the trick. Why would they not want to reassess to collect additional revenue? Also, can I get him for unreported income? House is not in his name, and he does not deposit my checks into his account, it gets deposited in someone elses acct. Somethings fishy in Denmark...

A different department/entity does the assessing for taxes. The inspectors who would come don't have anything to do with that, BUT I am sure that they will contact the department that DOES with their report and if property taxes need to be reassessed, they will be.

If the house is not in his name, that means he is not the landlord, but the landlord wants to remain anonymous to you while letting you think he is the landlord. Therefore, you cannot report him for unreported income.

Mention to the inspectors what you said above. They can look at the property's records and ascertain the correct person to send the fines and notices to if they find violations.