NYC Adds 250 Deteriorating Buildings Into Their Alternative Enforcement Program

NYC under the auspices of The Office of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) enrolled 250 buildings with roughly 4,000 apartments to its Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP).   This is the 11th year of the program where 250 buildings are placed every year for the additional scrutiny of HPD.  The buildings that are have been chosen are listed here and they house 3,970 families and have 26,301 housing code violations.  Under AEP, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) identifies the most distressed buildings in need of repair and systems replacement, and monitors the progress of owners towards correcting Housing Maintenance Code violations or corrects the violations itself.  An official for the city also said that the program subjects the owners to fees and tougher inspections if they don't make legally mandated repairs.
Some of the violations that have been levied against the owners are based on the presence lead-based paint, lack of heat or hot water, rodent infestations, inadequate fire exits and no electricity or gas.  The violations can be fixed by the landlord or can be repaired by the city and the landlord would have to reimburse for the repairs.  According to officials the landlords already owe more than $1.5 million for repairs already made by the City.
The breakdown of the 250 buildings put into the program this year are as follows:

• Manhattan: 47 buildings/ 940 units
• The Bronx: 57 buildings/ 1,169 units
• Brooklyn: 127 buildings/ 1,435 units
• Queens: 18 buildings/ 370 units
• Staten Island: 1 building/ 56 units

Mayor deBlasio said about the AEP buildings in a statement "This kind of willful negligence puts tenants in danger. It is immoral and illegal and we will use every tool we have to go after property owners and make these buildings safe for New York families."

Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer stated

"HPD is working on all fronts to make sure that landlords live up to their obligations to provide tenants with the safe, quality housing that they rightfully deserve. The Alternative Enforcement Program is a powerful tool to take negligent owners to task and address systemic conditions in buildings.  I want to thank the hardworking team in HPD's Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services, as well as the many elected officials and community groups who partner with us to protect our city's tenants."

Having an experienced NYC property management company can assist landlords comply with violations and avoid be put on a list such as the Alternate Enforcement Program.  Blue Harbour Property Management is a full service NYC property management company servicing the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx that is one of the top property management companies assisting landlords in difficult matters.  Whether it be a 1 bedroom condo or multi-family building we are able to assist our clients maximize their investments.

http://www.blueharbourpropertymanagement.com/nyc-adds-250-deteriorating-buildings-alternative-enforcement-program/

City Council Likely Will Change Heating Requirements for NYC Landlords

In a move that will definitely affect NYC property managers and landlords in the colder months of the year, the city council will vote tomorrow on proposed new legislation would require indoor temperatures be at least 62 degrees between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Presently the law calls for between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit.  Also, at nighttime between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, if the temperature outside falls below 40 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is being reported by Crain's  that a committee passed the bill which was similar to a failed proposal sent to committee in 2015.  The means the measure is likely to be approved by the full council tomorrow.  There is no indication that there will be an increase in the fines for the non-compliance of the proposed law.  Presently the fines are as follows:

• $250-$500 dollars per day for each initial heat or hot water violation
• $500-$1,000 per day for each subsequent violation at the same building during the same and/or the next calendar year from the initial violation or, during the same and/or the next heat season

If the owner fails to pay the Court ordered civil penalties, HPD will enter a judgment against the owner and the property and seek to enforce that judgment.

Proponents of the new legislation indicates that it will enhance the well-being of  tenants, particularly. As noted in the report, "Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer added that boosting the nighttime minimum will bring New York City in line with Boston and Chicago, cities that often endure frigid winters on par with the Big Apple. The proposed bill would also get rid of the requirement that landlords only need to heat buildings when the outside temperature falls below 40 degrees, meaning the nighttime minimum would apply throughout the October 1 through May 31 heating season."

Opponents of the bill include environmental groups which state that increasing temperature will increase carbon emissions.  Mayor de Blasio has pushed to reduced emissions by 80% over the next three decades.  Property management companies in New York City as well as landlords should be aware of the changes and adjust accordingly based on the additional resources to be used based on the changes.

Blue Harbour Property Management is a full service NYC property management company servicing the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx.  Whether it be a 1 bedroom condo or multi-family building we are able to assist our clients maximize their investments.

http://www.blueharbourpropertymanagement.com/city-council-likely-will-change-heat-requirements-landlords/