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An illegal apartment is illegal for a reason. The city building codes are not arbitrary laws. There are many reasons why a basement (even more so a cellar) is dangerous to live in. Here is one huge reason: carbon monoxide poisoning.
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many locales do not have the heavy handed rules NYC does, which effectively have taken an enormous amount of housing off the market for dubious reasons. the apartments on "Income Property" are often more than 50% underground, yet are thoroughly inspected by the (usually Toronto) authorities. they put in a vent system. CM detectors, etc. if that is necessary
My family lives upstairs from an illegally converted basement
My husband 3 yr old son and i legally rent a 2cnd floor brownstone in brooklyn. The owners lived on the first floor. A few yrs back, they converted the basement into an illegal apartment. A single woman in her fifties lives there. The house was sold to a new owner 2 months after we moved in. The new owner and basement tenant told me stories of how she had to not come home the wk of inspection, that they removed her stove.... Abd the new owner complained the sellers were trying to get a 3 apt price for what was legally 2, but didnt want to pay taxes on that basement apt. The old owners made out like the bandits they are; sold the home for just under a mill, as COUGH "2 apt" and took off to florida.
10 months later, the new landlord is mostly absent all yr and depends on me for everything; salt, shovelling, garbage, repair, packages, meter reading... And the woman in the basement is clearly not "all there." I am now in the uncomfortable position of acting landlord, which at times, requires access to fuses, heat control or meters. I have yo enter the illegal apt to access these things. I am swiftly met with hostility from the basement renter, regardless of my respectful and always helpful manner towards her. She does not trust anyone in her crappy apt, and i understand, but come on. You live in a illegal apt with all the mechanics for the entire home!
Lately, i noticed an extremely strong gas smell when i went to switch the fuse in the basement apt. I told her about it, and she hadnt noticed. She found that a burner light was indeed, out. With the absense of windows, i can see this becoming quite dangerous. I live with my toddler son upstairs.
At first, before i knew of the crazy, i was friendly with this woman, but since have distanced myself when she seemed to defy logic in her suspicion of everyone and everything. Im not sure i feel comfortable living in this house with her. She could start a fire in her illegally uninspected apt, putting my family at risk. She gives me attitude every time i need access to the meter, like im stealing. Whats worst of all is that the space clearly isnt safe for her, has zero light, has had horrible septic problems, and i think shes massively depressed. I know no one is paying taxes on that apt. Im stuck here another year. Shed never move out on her own. Not sure what to do.
My realtor is selling his aunt's house in bergen beach for 1.8 and is refusing to do repairs or fix the leaks or repair the violations of the two kitchens with the building department. One kitchen is in the basement and the other is in the garage with a bathroom. When my inspector noticed these violations, i called the realtor. He said, don't worry "just don't open the door for the inspectors or just shut off the gas" he increased the price for 10k more since i loved the house. He told me the house was under contract, but the buyer was given him a hard time, so he was going to cancel the contract. Then he added, after you pay for "cash" the owner needs to stay at the house after closing for 6 more weeks for free!!! I've been after this house for 4 months, and every time i'm ready to do the closing, the broker comes with new provisions. And of course they are taking everything with them and leaving everything damaged and broken. I need to replace all the appliances since the owner lived in this house for 10 years without spending a single dime on the house. The house is 28 years old and the seller is refusing to do any work or replace anything. I spoke with my lawyer and told him to forget about the deal.
will it be that high? i just wanted them to get a warning, thats all. I wanted to do complain, not because I dont like them, its because I like them too much and dont want them to have any problems.
Presumably there was a cost to convert it. There will be a cost to "un-convert" it too.
You "dont (sic) want them to have any problems." What did you think would happen if you reported them?
I am not suggesting that you don't report them, but don't suffocate on the sand you are burying your head in.
I live in a basement apartment which I found out is illegal. my landlord has never issue me a lease and refuses to do repairs in this dwelling. I pay him my rent and he gives me receipts I need to know if inspectors would come here will I be thrown out on the streets or will I have help finding an apartment
I know a family who illegally converted a basement into a dwelling. I am quite concerned about their health and know them personally. I do wish to complain against this illegal conversion but dont want them to know its me as it may cause severe bruise in our friendship. Can you please let me know how to let the authorities know it or atleast give them a warning about this while my name and address remains anonymous?
My landlord has an illegal basement apartment & I am thinking to report them because they are doing alot of fraud in our building. The apartment on the 1st floor has been empty for 3 years and they never attempted to rent it. I heard from a neighbor they are collecting rent from subsidised housing or HUD pretending the apartment is occupied by a relative whom does not live there. Also the tax bill comes here twice a year in the former landlord's name who is now a senior citizen. So they get a break on the home owner's taxes as well. Just recently they annouced that they want me to move out asap. I always pay my rent on time & we don't make any noise. I'm thinking that they want to put another ghost subsidised person in this apartment & collect more rent. Just wondering what to do as this whole situation is very unfair to our family!
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My family lives upstairs from an illegally converted basement
