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This coming Monday we celebrate a holiday that Samuel Gompers, founder and president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), noted as unique. Labor Day does not celebrate one person's birth or death, the beginning or end of a war or even a national day of privately or publicly expressed appreciat More ... To The Editor: U.S. 2010 The Census Hellenic Steering Committee of N.Y. State would like to mention that Al Varriale was not just a role model for the youth of the Italian community, but also the Greek community. More ... To The Editor: Contrary to public perception, college students today are making healthier choices than their parents did. According to an annual study by the American Council on Education, the percentage of college freshmen who reported drinking beer frequently or occasionally is at the lowest leve More ... To The Editor: What is "Free Trade"? Free trade is the exchange of goods and services without the control of support of government. It is the commercial arrangement between private parties for mutual benefit. NAFTAis anything but free trade; it is government mass control. More ... To The Editor: Recently we have been hearing Democratic state elected officials, led by state Senator Diane Savino, call for Tom Suozzi to quit. She states that the party wants Suozzi to quit his race for governor. While I do not know the other Democrats who called for him to quit, I do know Senato More ... To The Editor: I would like to have HRA's response to the Public Advocate's report published in the More ... Several million seniors soon will begin hitting the dreaded doughnut hole in their new Medicare prescription drug coverage a gap of up to $3,000 where their insurance stops. More ... I recently installed a lock in the boiler room because of vandalism. One of my tenants told me that I am obligated to informing the location of who has the keys to the boiler room. If this is true, what type of sign should be posted? L.F., Woodside An owner who keeps the door of the boiler room locked must post two signs naming the person entrusted with the key and where that person can be found. The signs must read "Key to heating system area lock is located at (insert name of person with key and that person's location)". These signs must be posted in the building's entrance hall in a conspicuous place, preferably above the mailboxes, and on the boiler room entrance door. The signs must be made of metal, plastic, or decal and must be approved by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). The sign's letters must be at least 3/16 of an inch in height. It must be large enough to accommodate the lettering while still providing a ? inch margin around the lettering on all sides. The letters and background of the signs must be of contrasting colors. An owner who fails to post boiler room access signs can be in fined of $50 to $150 per violation, plus $125 per day until corrected. In addition, the duty to keep a boiler room accessible to building inspectors is a continuing obligation. Owners can also be fined $50 to $275 per day if they fail to correct a violation of the boiler room access within the time established on the notice of violation. For more information on sign posting, you can contact HPD by calling the New York City Hotline at 311. One of my rent stabilized tenants is complaining about her bathroom floor tiles. She said the floor tiles are old and wants me to replace the entire floor with new tiles. I told the tenant that I will charge her 1/40th of the cost. The tenant said that the floor tiles are part of her services. Do I have the right to charge the tenant? J.F., Astoria Yes. According to the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) installing new floor tiles is considered to be an individual apartment improvement. Therefore, the landlord is entitled to a 1/40th of the cost of the rent increase. However, when it comes to replacing damaged or missing floor tiles a landlord cannot charge a tenant. Before you install the floor tiles, request a written consent from the tenant for the rent increase. If the tenant refuses to give a written consent, then you can refuse to provide the new floor tiles. If she refuses to give you a written consent, put it in writing and send a letter by certified mail/return receipt. The letter will prove you were willing to install new tiles but, the tenant refused to give you a written consent should the tenant file a service complaint. More ... |
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