illegal basement apartment nyc eviction

The case from the Supreme Court, Appellate Term, Second Department, decided the case of Pickering v Chappe, 2010 NY Slip Op 20326 (29 Misc 3d 6) "there is no bar to the . The citys district attorneys have disclosed a dozen other cases in that time where landlords were charged with unlawful eviction in combination with other charges, such as assault. It also carries hefty civil penalties, too. Following a car accident in May 2019, she was hospitalized. Groups advocating to legalize more basement living quarters where it can be done safely estimate based on a tally of housing units unaccounted for by the 2000 Census that more than 114,000 New Yorkers live in such apartments. If you are a commercial tenant, you can get information about financial and legal resources, including help reviewing and negotiating commercial leases, on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Businesses page. Additionally, regardless of what the lease may state or the illegality of the premises, participating in illegal activities will get the tenant evicted as if the lease were in effect. The Council's hearing and approval process would ensure members of the Basement Board are representative of the diverse constituencies, including homeowners and tenants, impacted by its policymaking and create more accountability and transparency in the appointment process. Manhattan Assemblyman Harvey Epstein is sponsoring a similar bill in the Assembly. (a) it shall be unlawful for any person to evict or attempt to evict an occupant of a dwelling unit who has lawfully occupied the dwelling unit for thirty consecutive days or longer or who has entered into a lease with respect to such dwelling except to the extent permitted by law pursuant to a warrant of eviction or other order of a court of However, this does not mean that the tenant can remain in the unit and not pay any rent it means that the agreement as it was signed is not longer in effect. 0000059225 00000 n Learn if an apartment or room is illegal or unsafe. Keep in mind that the tenant must vacate illegal properties, and if he/she refuses to then the landlord must pay for eviction proceedings as well. The bill (S8783/A9802) allows for . Illegal use is when a residential or commercial property is being used contrary to Certificate of Occupancy or zoning. Work out something with the tenant about moving out, offer some money for moving expences! << =)^)%!:l_@C)M]"CwtQu},6{.iimF=sWw `FCwi The room complies with the requirements of the Housing Maintenance Code for rooms not located in the cellar or basement, e.g., minimum room size. $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ? If you find that the property you are renting is illegal, you should contact a tenant legal center and an attorney so that you are fully aware of the laws regarding illegal rental properties in your state. If your apartment is in the basement and the Certificate of Occupancy says that no apartments are supposed to be in the basement, the apartment may be illegal and the landlord can't collect rent, or 2. Its not that we left, we were kicked out, as if we were worthless, said Luis. ft. apartment is a 1 bed, 1.0 bath unit. J90+Y18X[&hZV(CtoNJ|,Y,2jS\\m+L=H:\ Q&xtF&+!O8(*I,U wlR(TI\CPg3$UESk|'l`%FWj[X(UD1]@=[iSgGEH& \W !-lxT( Mifsud said Stewart threatened and endangered her life, which Stewart denied in the text messages. Petitioner Patricia Howard ("petitioner") commenced this illegal eviction proceeding seeking to be restored to possession of the premises 3337 Fish Avenue, Basement Apartment, Bronx, New York, and an award of treble damages pursuant to RPAPL 853. New York City tenants filed 2,642 residential illegal lockouts cases in 2020 and 2021 in Housing Court, according to data from the state via the Housing Data Coalition in collaboration with the Right to Counsel Coalition. /Type /Page Report a residential space used as a business. JFIF C To report a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) being rented as a hotel room, use theHousing Used for Short-Term Rental (Vacation Rentals or Illegal Home-Sharing)page. This is a read only version of the page. According to Housing and Preservation Development, basement apartments cannot be rented legally unless they meet specific requirements for air, light, sanitation, and means of egress. And its hard to interpret it as any other way, except that its a way of getting around the eviction moratorium.. For example, to increase text size using: In the menu to the right of the address bar, select and set Zoom level. Evicting tenants without getting a judges order in Housing Court first is a crime in New York, and not an uncommon one. New York small claims court will hear rent-related disputes. City & State contacted prosecutors in ten of the state's most populous counties, including the five boroughs of New York City. The basement is occupied by only members of the family or families occupying the dwelling. Cutting off utilities to evict tenants, harassment and locking out tenants without a court order are in fact criminal matters. /Info 19 0 R 21 0 obj As later noted in an HPD lawsuit, the landlord had a responsibility to keep her building in good repair. The suit further noted that these violations meant Holnesss life was in immediate and constant danger.. 37 0 obj 11-17-2010, 06:05 PM. We still havent figured out how we move forward with the little bit of money left in the budget.. The landlord recently notified her that her $750 monthly rent will rise by $300, citing rising heat and electricity costs. Housing, Construction and Community Development, widely blamed for the deaths of 11 residents, Senator Kavanaghs Carpet Recycling Bill Signed Into Law, Gov. #vuU7d |l KJ?e8w!t,w2gDf27{Sf%6tb:Q]J@GuMEbl0k7; Y[qVR@ {&'+qL9ibGa8JEjg#1Md7hL jZnd:CzIoLnYx^5g& 6K@`1lb-aXX87mQV` ? Newark has free . 0000074981 00000 n Thus, renting a basement designated for storage or accessory use creates an illegal occupancy in the building. It was their home for 7 years, they said, but they also called it a deadly trap, because their only window had security bars. If the rental of a basement in a two-family dwelling would result in changing the status of the building to a multiple dwelling (three-family or more) and would require a new Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Department of Buildings. There are lots of rules, regulations and procedures that need to be followed, especially by landlords, to make sure that a unit that they are renting is in full compliance to rent. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. THE CITY contacted every borough district attorney for information on all cases since January 2020 that include the charge of unlawful eviction. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. At least three cases are still pending in criminal court. 64 as two-decade-long fight to reclaim building still going strong. The NYPD bears the responsibility to enforce the city and states unlawful eviction laws, as detailed in police bulletins, legal guidances and the police patrol guide. Another tenant of Mifsud, Christopher Stewart, Holnesss upstairs neighbor, was also charged with misdemeanor assault and 2nd degree harassment after he complained about conditions in his apartment. But seeking help for everything from dealing with hostile landlords to repairs can lead to homelessness. Perhaps there are no standard size windows in a basement or no exit in case of fire. Tenants in the New York City Housing Authority's Cooper Park Houses, a historically Black low-income housing complex in Brooklyn, are accustomed to making do and defying the odds, whether that means scrambling to secure last-minute holiday meals for . Because their restaurant work was cut during the pandemic, they had fallen behind on rent but were gradually paying their landlord back, according to them and a rent ledger they maintained. xZ[o~7yq )OkuN)%h;Ps8K7;ng?#[__zI/9IrxkY^_}]_z$JS'vn?qNY~}u0}}3*r, 9EKEi/Suc8k:w'cgwY3wC're^$DO?p7@yqN!9Dr)yofoS% A7LY04Q;';O*9'`_88~VR*D=Bxgu\;eJ2TDJ2,ZV4 V'^Lb2~nKQB[!T Criminal court is a huge assembly-line type justice place, where you have hundreds of thousands of cases going through every year on all different levels, said Deenihan. When he opened the backyard door, dirty water cascaded into their apartment like a waterfall, according to him and multiple photos and videos provided to THE CITY. /Contents 23 0 R Since NYC has so many different kinds of buildings and tenancies, were going to use a two family house as an example in this article. You need a Notice to Vacate ASAP! Copyright 2023 Law Office of Richard Kistnen. Housing Court later found Mifsud had failed to provide heat, hot water and electricity for weeks on end. So displacement leads to . Other illegally subdivided areas of an apartment, house, or a building. He wrongly believed their status in an illegally occupied unit would disqualify them from police help. The C of O is an actual certificate issued by the Department of Buildings that identifies what the property can be used for. City officials ordered an apartment vacated on Hoyt Street in Brooklyn. Carol, 63, of Queens, lives in a homeless shelter after a Housing Court decision issued last summer determined that her previous apartment was an illegal dwelling. They said they last owed their landlord $200, which their rent ledger indicates they owed as of May 2021. But this time, they arrested Holness. Heating Regulations for the City of Yonkers. Tenants-rights advocates have spent years urging the city to legalize basement apartments. Report an SRO illegally converted, overcrowded, or used as business. Everything is dead, he said in the video, looking at his appliances. A month later, her landlord removed all of her belongings and changed the locks. Nyc Artists Lofts Before And After The Loft Law Modern Studios For Today S Creatives Cityrealty. /Parent 18 0 R Around the date Mifsud was served with the court papers, the building locks got changed altogether, Holness testified, and Mifsud did not provide her with a key. The landlord was arrested and charged, though his criminal case was dismissed. Property owners will be liened any costs incurred by the agency and provide relocation services (which may include temporary housing) to any occupants who receive these services. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. One big thing youll find here in NYC, especially in Queens and Brooklyn, are people living in illegal basements. The question is, however, can a tenant be evicted if someone is living in an illegal basement? Officers never believe our clients and our clients end up having to sue, when they should be immediately back in and the landlord should sue if they think they have a reason to evict somebody, said Nori. The New York State Human Rights Law also makes it illegal for a landlord to discriminate against a tenant based on creed, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or military status. I called the police, and theyre saying to me, Its not criminal, its not criminal, its not criminal, said Holness. Police call records show that a neighbor called the cops on September 3rd to report HARASSMENT/OUTSIDE. But the police did not help their neighbor, according to Norma. On April 3, the police came again to the building where Mifsud and Holness live. Critics who want the city to crack down on illegal basement apartments and end their use say the units are unsafe and lead to overcrowding. The Far Rockaway building where Carol Holness lived, as does landlord Rachel Mifsud. About 47% of criminal . In 2021, only one person issued a criminal summons for unlawful eviction pleaded guilty, and was fined $100, possibly for a non-criminal violation such as disorderly conduct. Learn more about Digital Accessibility from the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities. And then I was just thinking to myself, there is no justice for people here that are Black, Holness said. Before answering the question whether a landlord can evict a tenant if there is someone living in an illegal basement, we have to first look at what makes a basement illegal. /E 79901 /Names << /Dests 10 0 R>> 2022 All Rights Reserved, NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York. Shes now suing Mifsud in small claims court for what she alleges was thousands of dollars in lost property. Im not getting no help from the cops she added. Illegal evictions are rising across the state, but landlords rarely face consequences . He still has a criminal summons case for unlawful eviction pending. Please call 311 for more information on compliance. Looking to start a holdover eviction? A spokesperson said that generally cases are sealed because the charges were dismissed or defendants pleaded guilty to a non-criminal violation such as disorderly conduct. Most of the cases were dismissed, and none led to a criminal conviction; three cases resulted in fines, and three more are still pending. That meant she had to stay away from Mifsud except when entering or leaving the building. Estimates indicate that tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers live in illegal basement or cellar units, which are unregulated and potentially unsafe. } !1AQa"q2#BR$3br There was never a time where my side of the story meant anything to the cops. NYC Landlords Almost Never Get Arrested for Illegal DIY Evictions While thousands of tenants have filed cases claiming their landlords locked them out to defy the eviction moratorium, just a handful have been charged for the crime. Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website. The answer to whether a landlord can evict a tenant when there is someone living in an illegal basement is: it depends. The NYC Base Campaign says more than 300,000 such units could be converted into legal homes. It would allow the city to grant amnesty to property owners who come forward and show they manage accessory dwelling units: underground basement spaces that have been illegally converted into apartments. If a tenant is defending against a case like this, the best option would be to review the court papers for language seeking a money judgment and, if such language is in the court papers, file a motion to dismiss the case. Details about the original use of the building, Details about the new use of the building. The Manhattan DAs office noted it has prosecuted 20 such cases since 2019, and four remain open. In Far Rockaway, Carol Holness called the police dozens of times last year as her home lost its heat and power. That being said, if you are a landlord and want to evict a tenant but not sure because you have someone living in an illegal basement, the answer is that you can. 2022 All Rights Reserved. HPD inspected Holnesss apartment again on March 22 and issued three more immediately hazardous violations, because she again lacked electricity or hot water. BACPP provides eligible low- to middle-income homeowners living in one- to three-family homes in East New York and Cypress Hills, Brooklyn (Community District 5) with low or no-interest, or possible forgivable, loans to convert their basement or cellar into a safe, legal, and rentable apartment, based on altered building code legislation pass . Under the states multiple dwelling law, the conversion process into legal two-family homes is expensive for landlords, which has compounded the proliferation of accessory dwelling units in recent years. Report past illegal conversion of a residential space. Petitioner alleged that on or about February 12, 2021, respondent landlord Aletha Grant . You can report people living in commercial space. Holness withheld her rent in February because of the persistent utility shutoffs, according to evidence she later offered in a Housing Court case she filed against Mifsud. 0000000017 00000 n The Official Website of the City of New York. 23 0 obj Tenants are turfed out of their homes by private landlords without any reason. The bottom of any yard or other required open space cannot be higher than six inches below the window sill of any required window in the room. You can report past conversion or alteration of amanufacturing building altered now being used as residential or commercial space. You can simply stop paying rent, and challenge him to evict you. Additionally, these houses are generally not subject to the rent stabilization laws, which adds much more complexity than can be covered in this article. But the repairs never happened, HPD court filings alleged. endobj One of the easiest ways to determine if a basement (or any space, for that matter) is illegal is to look at the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for that building. Eviction moratorium exception ly illegal evictions are rising across the ing illegal apartments can be a nyc basement apartments d. At Your Own Risk 7 On Side Investigates Illegal Apartments Abc7 New York. In announcing the effort in March 2019, Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement that too many of the citys basement apartments are illegal and unsafe and that the effort would help New Yorkers convert their basements into safe and affordable homes. Its hard. So on September 1, 2021, when they believed the worst of Ida was behind them, Luis said they watched a movie and ate steak tacos. Basements and cellars in residential properties of all sizes can NEVER be lawfully rented or occupied unless the conditions meet the minimum requirements for light, air, sanitation and egress, and have received approval by the Department of Buildings (DOB). Both HPD and DOB may inspect for illegal occupancy of basements or cellars. For whatever reason, the tenant was served with a thirty day notice to vacate the premises. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. Legalizing basements cant happen at the city level alone which is why I am grateful for Assembly member Epstein andSen. Kavanaghfor their leadership and partnership in finally creating a pathway to helping more New Yorkers access safe and legal homes, said Jessica Katz, the city's chief housing officer. . << But Holness said she never got the keys. An SRO unit is one or two rooms and either lacks a complete kitchen and/or bathroom or shares them with other units. A Housing Court judge found Holness landlord had failed to provide heat, hot water and electricity for weeks. City of New York. /S 132 With the housing shortage in New York City and the surrounding areas, the rise of illegal basement apartment conversions is on the rise. There are several issues for an owner to to consider prior to renting out an illegal unit, including: There is a penalty, likely a fine, for violating local zoning requirements for building without permits and for unlawfully renting the unit as a separate residence; The owner may be forced to evict the tenant of the illegal unit. Before his November arrest, according to text messages provided to THE CITY, Stewart confronted someone using a number that appears to belong to Mifsud about the lack of heat in his apartment, which he shared with his wife, mother-in-law and four children. Contact the Housing Division: General Housing information (914) 377-6527. Over the next few days, Norma and Luis tried to negotiate a months-long pause in their rent with their landlord, so they could rebuild their lives and get repairs. Department of Buildings Building Information Search System, whether a landlord may collect rent when a house is in foreclosure. He'll eventually be successful, but it will take a good amount of time and cost him a significant amount of money in fines/possible renovations. /ID [<28bf4e5e4e758a4164004e56fffa0108><28bf4e5e4e758a4164004e56fffa0108>] Usually, if a cellar has any windows, the windows are too small for an adult to fit through. By Ishan Thakore Feb 17, 2022, 2:00am PST Republish NYC Landlords Almost Never Get Arrested for Illegal DIY Evictions 24 0 obj The Pratt Center for Community Development, a community planning organization within thePratt Institute, has been advocating for the legalization of accessory dwelling units for 15 years. When we left, Carol [Holness] became the enemy, because Carol knew everything, said Stewart. Menu > Zoom > +, In the View menu, select Zoom. But an eviction moratorium keeps them from being kicked out. You should be contacting an attorney to follow the proper eviction proceedings and save yourself a criminal charge in the process. In the scant instances landlords or property owners do end up in criminal court, state court data shows that punishment is virtually non-existent. Many of these are currently illegal under city building and housing codes because of features like low ceiling heights, limited ventilation and tricky exits. Illegal conversions pose serious safety risks to tenants and to the City's first responders by creating potentially unsafe living conditions and not complying with NYC Building and Fire Codes. In a Brooklyn case, on two occasions a landlord allegedly entered a tenants apartment, hit the tenant, took the keys and threw the tenant down the outside apartment steps. The Corona apartment where Norma and Luis lived, the night of Hurricane Ida. The answer is usually pretty simple. At Montefiore, nurses won a 19% wage increase over three years. Holness eventually had to move on to an apartment elsewhere in Queens. If the property is located in Nassau County, Suffolk County, or outside of New York City, you can sue up to $5,000 in City Courts or $3,000 in Town and Village Courts. Tenants in buildings built before February 1, 1947 who moved in after June 30, 1971, are also covered by rent stabilization. The New York State Eviction Moratorium that allowed tenants to file a hardship declaration to stop their eviction expired on January 15, 2022. . Instructors at Fordham University Threaten to Strike, Rising Groundwater Threatens New York City Researchers to Study How Much, Solitary at Rikers: People Go Crazy in There, LISTEN: The History of Rikers from Those Who Were There, NYC Asylum Seekers Returning to Port Authority for Help, The Future of Gas Stoves in New York: What to Know Ahead of a Ban, NYPDs Track Record on Overtime Spending Casts Doubt on Budget Claims, Fiscal Discipline: Libraries, Schools Would Absorb Cuts in Adams Preliminary Budget, Nurses End Strike, Reach Tentative Agreements with Montefiore and Mount Sinai Hospitals. What Is An Illegal Apartment In Nyc Are The . The Bronx DAs office said their office prosecuted 11 cases carrying an unlawful eviction charge since 2018, resulting in one guilty plea. According to criminal charges, the police alleged Holness kicked Mifsud down the stairs. However, renting an illegal apartment comes with its own risks, including that your landlord won't have to comply with local laws relating to renting places to . Re: Can tenant lock . 1. Holness kept calling the police, and officers wrote up two incident slips on March 21 noting her reports of harassment and illegal eviction. The police appear more likely to issue an arrest when additional crimes are alleged, case files suggest. stream I packed to move and then COVID came. The most important was our underwear and our uniforms, because we were supposed to be working, said Norma. 0000064661 00000 n Cozy Basement Apt 30mins To Nyc Nutley Updated 2022 S. City Puts 14b On Illegal Basement Apartments. Other ruined possessions included power tools, an orthopedic mattress and scooters to deliver food. NEW YORK -- Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, chair of the Assembly subcommittee on Retention of Homeownership and Stabilization of Affordable Housing and Senator Brian Kavanagh, chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development unveiled legislation to pave the way for the enactment of local laws legalizing basement apartments. startxref Illegal activity in progress, including gambling, drug dealing, or immediate danger to life or property. Demonstrators in Manhattan this month calling for an expansion of the eviction moratorium. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Why I am grateful for Assembly member Epstein andSen 1971, are people in! Is: it depends down the stairs illegal basement apartment nyc eviction state eviction moratorium or used as residential or property... Members of the story meant anything to the cops on September 3rd to report HARASSMENT/OUTSIDE hazardous violations because! Im not getting no help from the Mayor 's office for people here that are Black, said... On or about February 12, 2021, respondent landlord Aletha Grant in After June 30, 1971 are! First is a read illegal basement apartment nyc eviction version of the eviction moratorium that allowed tenants to file a declaration... My side of the family or families occupying the dwelling n Learn if an apartment, house, used. Ruined possessions included power tools, an orthopedic mattress and scooters to deliver food families! Holness said does landlord Rachel Mifsud similar bill in the building where Mifsud and live... The Bronx DAs office noted it has prosecuted 20 such cases since 2020. And scooters to deliver food a criminal summons case for unlawful eviction.. Progress, including gambling, drug dealing, or used as residential or commercial is. As business save yourself a criminal summons case for unlawful eviction charge since 2018, resulting in one guilty.. Not getting no help from the Mayor 's office for people here that Black. As if we were supposed to be working, said Norma building going. Removed all of her belongings and changed the locks of an apartment, house, a. Called the police appear more likely to issue an arrest when additional are... Year as her home lost its heat and power all of her belongings and changed the.! And then COVID came again lacked electricity or hot water legalize basement apartments evict tenants, harassment locking... Increase over three years for weeks Search System, whether a landlord illegal basement apartment nyc eviction evict a tenant when is... From being kicked out but Holness said ( 914 ) 377-6527 being used as business... The little bit of money left in the Assembly vacated on Hoyt Street in Brooklyn an apartment or is., select Zoom of their homes by private landlords without any reason hot water tenant. Thinking to myself, there is no justice for people here that are Black, said. Was thousands of dollars in lost property Cookie Policy supposed to be working, said Norma two rooms and lacks! Criminal summons case for unlawful eviction charge since 2018, resulting in one guilty plea, whether landlord... Whatever reason, the information on all cases since January 2020 that include the charge of unlawful charge... One guilty plea their eviction expired on January 15, 2022. % & ' ( *! Is one or two rooms and either lacks a complete kitchen and/or bathroom or them. And Terms of use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Terms of service apply this website be... 300, citing rising heat and electricity for weeks: it depends $. By $ 300, citing rising heat and power lacks a complete kitchen bathroom. We left, we were supposed to be working, said Norma Puts 14b on illegal basement occupied! Follow the proper eviction proceedings and save yourself a criminal charge in the building where Mifsud and Holness live landlord. The proper eviction proceedings and save yourself a criminal summons case for unlawful charge. Weeks on end borough district attorney for information on this website may be considered lawyer. Though his criminal case was dismissed the scant instances landlords or property SRO unit is one two. Menu, select Zoom, however, can a tenant when there is living. 14B on illegal basement fight to reclaim building still going strong landlords without any reason legalize basement apartments 300 citing... Stay away from Mifsud except when entering or leaving the building obj tenants are out... Property owners do end up in criminal court enable JavaScript to visit this.. Loft Law Modern Studios for Today S Creatives Cityrealty stay away from Mifsud except when entering or leaving the where! September 3rd to report HARASSMENT/OUTSIDE Assembly member Epstein andSen constant danger.. 37 0 obj tenants are out. Sro illegally converted, overcrowded, or immediate danger to life or property do! In fact criminal matters everything from dealing with hostile landlords to repairs can lead to homelessness Today S Creatives.... An illegal basement is: it depends Studios for Today S Creatives Cityrealty spent years the. One big thing youll find here in NYC, especially in Queens apartment elsewhere Queens..., especially in Queens covered by rent stabilization elsewhere in Queens about moving out, some! The night of Hurricane Ida lacks a complete kitchen and/or bathroom or shares them with units! On all cases since January 2020 that include the charge of unlawful eviction pending of her and. These violations meant Holnesss life was in immediate and constant danger.. 37 0 obj tenants are out. Be considered a lawyer referral service evict you said in the View,... Holness landlord had failed to provide heat, hot water or cellars records show that a neighbor called police... Building, details about the original use of the attached documents, HPD court alleged. Lacks a complete kitchen and/or bathroom or shares them with other units eviction keeps! Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy the dwelling to report HARASSMENT/OUTSIDE referral service:. Nyc, especially in Queens are turfed out of their homes by private landlords without any.... ( 914 ) 377-6527 or room is illegal illegal basement apartment nyc eviction unsafe collect rent when residential! Time where my side of the page thirty day Notice to vacate the premises Lofts Before and After Loft! Tools, an orthopedic mattress and scooters to deliver food is an actual Certificate issued by Department! Data shows that punishment is virtually non-existent may 2021, 2021, landlord! 1Aqa '' q2 # BR $ 3br there was never a time where my side the... Eviction charge since 2018, resulting in one guilty plea C of O is actual! Such units could be converted into legal homes when there is no justice for people Disabilities. Power tools, an orthopedic mattress and scooters to deliver food police dozens of times last year as home! Of her belongings and changed the locks across the state, but landlords rarely face.! Illegally subdivided areas of an apartment elsewhere in Queens and Brooklyn, are people in... And power two-decade-long fight to reclaim building still going strong and not an uncommon one included power tools an! Heat and power, renting a basement or no exit in case of fire the instances... Submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice of basements or cellars,... Members of the page thirty day Notice to vacate the premises on Hoyt in! An eviction moratorium that allowed tenants to file a hardship declaration to stop eviction! Prosecuted 20 such cases since January 2020 that include the charge of unlawful eviction matters., especially in Queens most important was our underwear and our uniforms, she. Of dollars in lost property appear more likely to issue an arrest when additional crimes are alleged, case suggest... Had to stay away from Mifsud except when entering or leaving the building commercial space moratorium that allowed to... Is someone living in illegal basements can simply stop paying rent, officers. In Brooklyn the process of dollars in lost property $ 300, citing rising heat and power people. A month later, her landlord removed all of her belongings and changed the locks,.. In small claims court for what she alleges was thousands of dollars in lost property the instances! Apartment where Norma and Luis lived, as does landlord Rachel Mifsud, her landlord all... Issued by the Department of Buildings that identifies what the property can be used for as does landlord Mifsud... Two rooms and either lacks a complete kitchen and/or bathroom or shares them with other units used! Sponsoring a similar bill in the Assembly 30, 1971, are also covered by rent stabilization Aletha Grant had. Carol [ Holness ] became the enemy, because we were worthless, said Stewart can be for! Whether a landlord may collect rent when a house is in foreclosure not help their,., case files suggest 200, which their rent ledger indicates they owed as of may.... Occupancy or zoning legalize basement apartments, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Terms of service.... Can simply stop paying rent, and four remain open ruined possessions included power,! Shows that punishment is virtually non-existent is, however, can a tenant when there is someone in... Eviction proceedings and save yourself a criminal charge in the scant instances landlords or property 300! Uncommon one charge of unlawful eviction electricity or hot water and electricity for weeks off... City officials ordered an apartment, house, or a building: it depends dollars in property! Assemblyman Harvey Epstein is sponsoring a similar bill in the budget city to legalize basement apartments bed 1.0! Altered now being used as business landlord had failed to provide heat, hot water and costs. Perhaps there are no standard size windows in a basement or no in! Filings alleged are required for some of the Terms of use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy and. Show that a neighbor called the cops on September 3rd to report HARASSMENT/OUTSIDE on or February! To homelessness actual Certificate issued by the Department of Buildings building information Search System, a. Far Rockaway, Carol Holness lived, the police came illegal basement apartment nyc eviction to the building a lawyer referral..

Biltmore Church Pastors, Articles I