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Well, I'm off and running! I got an email today from the new Housing Specialist assigned and, I have 7 days to turn in the updated list of docs. Just in time too, b/c my son is going back upstate to college Sunday and, he needs to have a notarized statement of no income and, Spring Semester registration. That gets handled tomorrow and, gonna use the 3 day weekend to compile the other docs (paystubs, bank statements, etc.) I'll get that up to him next week and, hope to have everything finalized by Spring Break, so he'll have a nice new home to come back to!
Congratsss on that. Hopefully they are up to my log number next
One anecdote: I just heard from a friend that she may be getting a below-market rental in her neighborhood (not in Stuy Town). The former tenant had been there for decades, and because of the pro-tenant rent laws passed in Albany, the landlord can legally raise the rent only a limited amount.
My friend is thrilled to get an affordable apartment, which she really needs. But the landlord, like most across the city, isn't happy about the new law. As a result, the landlord said my friend has to take the apartment as-is: He will not be painting the walls, refinishing the floors, renovating the kitchen or bathroom, no new appliances, nada.
My friend was a bit crestfallen to hear that, since she knows that the apartment will need a lot of work. But I advised her that as long as she is getting a rent-stabilized lease, it's worth it for her to do her own painting, etc., if she intends to be there several years.
I imagine lots of landlords have the same mindset.
So getting around to Stuy Town: Although things aren't perfect here, a big advantage is that the lottery winners will be getting an affordable, rent stabilized apartment that has been freshly painted, with a renovated kitchen and bathroom, air conditioners, and a refinished floor. It may not be fancy, but it's a great deal compared to what else is out there. Just my humble opinion!
One anecdote: I just heard from a friend that she may be getting a below-market rental in her neighborhood (not in Stuy Town). The former tenant had been there for decades, and because of the pro-tenant rent laws passed in Albany, the landlord can legally raise the rent only a limited amount.
My friend is thrilled to get an affordable apartment, which she really needs. But the landlord, like most across the city, isn't happy about the new law. As a result, the landlord said my friend has to take the apartment as-is: He will not be painting the walls, refinishing the floors, renovating the kitchen or bathroom, no new appliances, nada.
My friend was a bit crestfallen to hear that, since she knows that the apartment will need a lot of work. But I advised her that as long as she is getting a rent-stabilized lease, it's worth it for her to do her own painting, etc., if she intends to be there several years.
I imagine lots of landlords have the same mindset.
So getting around to Stuy Town: Although things aren't perfect here, a big advantage is that the lottery winners will be getting an affordable, rent stabilized apartment that has been freshly painted, with a renovated kitchen and bathroom, air conditioners, and a refinished floor. It may not be fancy, but it's a great deal compared to what else is out there. Just my humble opinion!
Just to give some clarification on the lottery renovation. What you will be getting is fresh primer paint, the painters/contractors do a crap job but atleast it’s still fresh. Walls are a mix between skim and textured really due to the spackle. I know a lot of others have complained about the poor paint job so heads up. Kitchen will be new cabinets, appliances, and laminate floor (this is probably the best of the reno). Bathroom is the old tile just sprayed with paint, new laminate floor, old towel racks painted over, new toilet, sink, and med mirror. Floors throughout the apt are not “refinished” they are just lightly dry swiffered. Smart a/c is a huge plus and I don’t think that bad for $53 a month. Everything else electrical will remain the same as it was decades ago. It’s a light remodel/refurbishing.
Just to give some clarification on the lottery renovation. What you will be getting is fresh primer paint, the painters/contractors do a crap job but atleast it’s still fresh. Walls are a mix between skim and textured really due to the spackle. I know a lot of others have complained about the poor paint job so heads up. Kitchen will be new cabinets, appliances, and laminate floor (this is probably the best of the reno). Bathroom is the old tile just sprayed with paint, new laminate floor, old towel racks painted over, new toilet, sink, and med mirror. Floors throughout the apt are not “refinished” they are just lightly dry swiffered. Smart a/c is a huge plus and I don’t think that bad for $53 a month. Everything else electrical will remain the same as it was decades ago. It’s a light remodel/refurbishing.
Thank you nycwalker.Excellent insight, I go through the pics and 3D tours on Stuytown's official site but, not sure which finish is the closest to what these renovations will look like. Anyone know which might be the most similar, or did any recent graduate download the pics they were shown (if that was an option)?
One anecdote: I just heard from a friend that she may be getting a below-market rental in her neighborhood (not in Stuy Town). The former tenant had been there for decades, and because of the pro-tenant rent laws passed in Albany, the landlord can legally raise the rent only a limited amount.
My friend is thrilled to get an affordable apartment, which she really needs. But the landlord, like most across the city, isn't happy about the new law. As a result, the landlord said my friend has to take the apartment as-is: He will not be painting the walls, refinishing the floors, renovating the kitchen or bathroom, no new appliances, nada.
My friend was a bit crestfallen to hear that, since she knows that the apartment will need a lot of work. But I advised her that as long as she is getting a rent-stabilized lease, it's worth it for her to do her own painting, etc., if she intends to be there several years.
I imagine lots of landlords have the same mindset.
So getting around to Stuy Town: Although things aren't perfect here, a big advantage is that the lottery winners will be getting an affordable, rent stabilized apartment that has been freshly painted, with a renovated kitchen and bathroom, air conditioners, and a refinished floor. It may not be fancy, but it's a great deal compared to what else is out there. Just my humble opinion!
Be a bit careful what you suggest qualifies as "etc.."
A landlord may not mind if tenant does their own paint job. But then again some may insist on standard "white", this unless tenant agrees to paint it back to that shade before moving out.
As for balance of things tenants, especially rent regulated cannot make alterations or whatever to apartment that are permanent or otherwise touch what belongs to LL (basically walls, floors, ceilings and what is behind/underneath).
Yes, tenants today and in past live in busted rent regulated apartments, but days of installing new kitchens, bathrooms, etc... by a tenant is long gone unless they have written consent from LL. People have lost their apartments over this violation of lease.
One common thing is drywall that shows signs of water damage (usually ceilings). LL sooner or later will send someone to cut out damaged bits and replace. Work is rarely top notch, but more importantly cause of damage is rarely addressed (leak). So not long afterwards the new bit of drywall begins to show same damage. Far as courts or anyone else is concerned LL did the repair work (fixed ceiling), getting him/her to go in and fix piping, repoint brickwork, etc.. just isn't going to happen.
FWIW have known people to give up below market rent regulated units because despite cheap monthly nut they just wanted something nicer, and remotely close to 20th (not even 21st) century standards.
You can walk around Manhattan and peeking up or into windows can spot units occupied by lifer rent regulated tenants. Many such units resemble busted time capsules; frozen in 1970's, 1960's or before.
Contrary to popular myth NY LLs are not required to paint between tenants. By law they must paint apartments every three years, but only if tenant makes request.
Truth to tell for about a decade or so now many rent regulated tenants don't bother making that request, especially if they are below market.
LLs will find the lowest bidding or cheap a$$ painter they can get (usually day laborers), who will then proceed to do a slop artist job using lowest and least expensive paint they can lay hands on. This could be anything left over from previous job (even if that was some time ago), or bottom shelf stuff that is barely better than pigmented water.
For many the hassle of moving their stuff around, putting down drop cloths/protection ( don't believe for a moment slop artist painters will give an eff), endless missed or cancelled appointments, just isn't worth bothering.
Thank you nycwalker.Excellent insight, I go through the pics and 3D tours on Stuytown's official site but, not sure which finish is the closest to what these renovations will look like. Anyone know which might be the most similar, or did any recent graduate download the pics they were shown (if that was an option)?
No problem! The lottery units do not look like any of the units on the stuytown website. Those are market rate units. I don’t know how to share images here but when offered a unit they will send reference pictures that are fairly close to what you’ll receive.
No problem! The lottery units do not look like any of the units on the stuytown website. Those are market rate units. I don’t know how to share images here but when offered a unit they will send reference pictures that are fairly close to what you’ll receive.
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