Month to Month Tenancy on Illegal Cellar, 30 days notice for calling the inspector, physical threats, keeping deposit

[dfc99]

Originally Posted by LOVEROFNYC

The city is offering low/no interest loan to entice home owners to bring it up to code. What many bottom feeders, bad tenants don't understand is that the powers that be are more interested in saying they governed a world class city that attracts the best, brightest and wealthiest (meaning they are not trying to be magnets for the indigent). This makes them look good on the national stage and post political career. They will 'pander' to appear as being the champion of the poor but they are not. This is why billions of dollars in tax breaks can be found to give to millionaire and billionaire property developers but you won't see the city breaking ground to build their own 'affordable apartments' for the working poor and homeless.............

This basement legalization program is confusing like everything else to come out of the diBlasio administration. It's a pilot program supposedly limited to specific parts of East New York where the zoning wouldn't have to be changed. The program even includes 'cellars', which are more than 50% below ground level. The legalization process is expensive so I wonder how many homeowners will take advantage of it. Where it gets confusing is that depending how you interpret the program rules anyone anywhere in the city is able to apply for a legalization of a basement or cellar as long as it complies with zoning. That is a recipe for disaster.

[LOVEROFNYC]

Originally Posted by dfc99

This basement legalization program is confusing like everything else to come out of the diBlasio administration. It's a pilot program supposedly limited to specific parts of East New York where the zoning wouldn't have to be changed. The program even includes 'cellars', which are more than 50% below ground level. The legalization process is expensive so I wonder how many homeowners will take advantage of it. Where it gets confusing is that depending how you interpret the program rules anyone anywhere in the city is able to apply for a legalization of a basement or cellar as long as it complies with zoning. That is a recipe for disaster.

The city did it before and it was a success in terms of revenue boosting and people being able to convert.

They have homeowners night at the department of building and info sessions to give information on what is required. This is free information. The city is offering low/no intrest loan for home owners who qualify. Many are already renting basements. This has been going on for many years. Legalize them. Generate taxe revenue and set minimum standards.


It is not as expensive as people think. When we pulled permits to renovate our house we hard wired (electric) for carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. We wired each apartment with it's own meter. One seperate meter for the basment. The fee to get a new meter is less than $300 and whatever it costs to rewire if needed.

We pulled a permit for a legal 3 peice bathroom. It didn't cost us extra to do this. We were pulling a general plumbing and construction permit. The cost for a bathroom runs from $4000 to $15000 depending on how fancy u want to get. Blowing money on a basement bathroom reno is not advised.

We already are more than half above curb and have the required 2 means of egress and minimum window size for ventialtion.

All these requirements are explained to u free of cost by the dob. People just need to be willing to put in the leg work.

The only thing missing is a permit for a kitchen.

They are rolling out the pilot program to see how it works then roll it out borough wide after.

People would be unwise to miss out on legalization this time around.

And the tenants who were foaming at the mouth wanting to live for free will be out of luck.

[LOVEROFNYC]

Originally Posted by dfc99

This basement legalization program is confusing like everything else to come out of the diBlasio administration. It's a pilot program supposedly limited to specific parts of East New York where the zoning wouldn't have to be changed. The program even includes 'cellars', which are more than 50% below ground level. The legalization process is expensive so I wonder how many homeowners will take advantage of it. Where it gets confusing is that depending how you interpret the program rules anyone anywhere in the city is able to apply for a legalization of a basement or cellar as long as it complies with zoning. That is a recipe for disaster.

Most areas on the city including Queens have been upzoned to allow for the conversion to 2 or multifamily. It makes no sense limiting building to a single family in a city with such a large population and a massive need for housing. More housing provided. More tax revenue collected.

[Kefir King]

Originally Posted by Cinema Cat

And illegal tenants do?

For if the apartment was illegal, so was the tenant.

Yes, The tenant was VICTIMIZED and is thus presumed to be the less guilty party.

Tenant will eventually be forced to move, but until eventually transpires, he cannot be charged rent.


But it is moot, tenant has thrown away the chance to accumulate a few grand to cover moving, realtor fee, first and last months' rent on another apartment.


Tenant, remember, if you don't get your security deposit in a timely fashion, you can sue for treble damages.

[dfc99]

Originally Posted by LOVEROFNYC

Most areas on the city including Queens have been upzoned to allow for the conversion to 2 or multifamily. It makes no sense limiting building to a single family in a city with such a large population and a massive need for housing. More housing provided. More tax revenue collected.

Actually in 2005/2006 large areas of Queens and most of the east and south shores of Staten Island were downzoned after years of requests from local elected officials and community boards.

On Staten Island the main issue was out of neighborhood context attached 'townhomes' replacing teardowns of 1 and 2 family homes. SI's limited road and water/sewer network was not designed for that type of unchecked growth.

Most R3-1 areas on SI were downzoned to R3X permitting only 1 or 2 family detached homes.
Most R3-2 areas on SI were downzoned to R3-1 permitting up to 1 or 2 family attached homes.

Very few NYC neighborhoods are zoned for 1-family only, it's not really even an issue in NYC. Only 78,922 parcels out of the total 858,539 (that's 13.47%) parcels in NYC are zoned R1 or R2 for 1-family only.

NYC R3 zoning info: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/z...-tools/r3.page

NYC parcels zoned for 1-family only: https://data.cityofnewyork.us/City-G...ning/m3ap-hpr8