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Everyone thinks Hochul's plan for expanding accessory dwelling units is wrong for Long Island. But why do so many Long Islanders allow their neighbors to have illegal kitchens and apartments in their basements? How does one go about reporting Nassau residents who do this?
Everyone thinks Hochul's plan for expanding accessory dwelling units is wrong for Long Island. But why do so many Long Islanders allow their neighbors to have illegal kitchens and apartments in their basements? How does one go about reporting Nassau residents who do this?
Why? When your taxes are 15k per year +/- & your mortgage is an additional 3k per month, many don’t have a choice. I didn’t even factor in utilities, maintenance & homeowners insurance. Whatever rent money they collect, might cover their property tax liability, if that.
Agree with above! This is NOT China or Cuba (YET). So why report? Sad we have to “report” people in. Unless there is noise, crime, ect.
Brief explanation from someone who used to handle enforcement in this field for awhile:
Occupants retain the right to privacy within their domiciles. That means that even upon receiving a complaint, the code enforcement officer must take steps to ensure that his search is done in line with the Constitution. That means informed consent to enter the premises for purposes of a search, or a warrant. If the occupant tells you to go scratch, that ends the search. Warrants are not easy to come by. Even though the burden of proof required is less than that for other matters, a judge is also less likely to weigh a zoning complaint more heavily than an individual's rights (and rightly so). Contrary to popular belief, the Town or village can't simply bring someone to court because a neighbor claims there is an apartment. Also, I would say half or more of the complaints I received contained close to zero corroborating or other helpful information, or were entirely racially motivated ("people who don't look like me moved in. There MUST be an illegal apartment!")
Even if an apartment is discovered under a legally permissible search, it takes time to vacate, sometimes requiring the courts and sheriff. Only then can a homeowner undertake the work of removing the physical infrastructure.
Regarding the now-dead zoning proposal:
1. The law in no way REQUIRES that homes start adding accessory apartments
2. The law wouldn't exempt dwellings with accessory apartments from the requirements of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. You wouldn't be able to convert a cape cod house into 5 apartments with no common space, or knock it down and build a 6-story apartment complex on the same lot. Minimum housing standards would need to be met.
3. If anyone actually pays attention to their municipal meetings, they already allow accessory apartments under the uses for Mother/Daughter or senior residence apartments. So, any politician claiming overcrowding or lack of safety is just blowing smoke. If every house on the block applied for a Mother/Daughter zoning variance, every house would be granted one (pretty much the story for 90% of all zoning appeals). The only difference between that and the governor's proposal is that some of those accessory apartments would be occupied by "city people" (politician speak for non-white, non-generational suburbanites).
Everyone thinks Hochul's plan for expanding accessory dwelling units is wrong for Long Island. But why do so many Long Islanders allow their neighbors to have illegal kitchens and apartments in their basements? How does one go about reporting Nassau residents who do this?
A piece of unsolicited advice from a former lifetime LI'er, now retired and relocated. Mind your own business. Not only can the homeowner make your life miserable, but quite frankly unless the illegal kitchen and apartment is impacting your life you have no ground to stand on, it is his business. You have not been deputized to be an agent of the town and even if they were egregious in their behavior, they would not be forced out by the law for a long time.....due process you know.
You have not been deputized to be an agent of the town and even if they were egregious in their behavior, they would not be forced out by the law for a long time.....due process you know.
Complainants want swift justice for their neighbors... and then due process when the neighbors turn around and complain about them!
I suppose you all are gonna vote for Hochul... bye bye suburban life.
It's not a matter of politics or even liking the proposal or the governor who made it. It's a matter of looking at something with a logical and legal framework and not being caught up in the fear mongering and fatalistic press releases of those who care more about who holds the office than the actual content of what's coming out of it.
Alternative title: local "Republicans" once again seek to limit private property rights.
I suppose you all are gonna vote for Hochul... bye bye suburban life.
Hopefully all your decks, pool, fences, extensions, patios, driveways, bathrooms are all up to Code! Did I forget anything? I’m sure the neighbors know.
Everyone thinks Hochul's plan for expanding accessory dwelling units is wrong for Long Island. But why do so many Long Islanders allow their neighbors to have illegal kitchens and apartments in their basements? How does one go about reporting Nassau residents who do this?
MYOB! Would you want a neighbor ratting you out? Is it bothering your everyday life? Are you having troubled sleeping at night because you are so worried about this? How do you know everyone has an illegal kitchen and apartment? Go ahead and report this I bet it comes back to bite you in the butt.
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Reporting??
