Fair Housing Law is another hoax that has been implemented by the government to give people the impression that they are welcome to all neighborhoods regardless of race or income. According to some of the rules a person should not place too much emphasis on 'sources of income'? So you can rent a room to someone and allow them into your home without knowing where they work. "what do you do for a living?"..."oh I am sorry I cannot answer that because it violates fair housing law".
Fair Housing Law is a gatekeeper of information as rental agencies do not have to release crime reports that occur in the building nor do they have to show the potential tenant any work orders on the properties. Hell with Fair Housing Law!
The truth is when you are renting rooms in NYC chances are you will be renting from a slum lord. Honestly, people rent rooms because they are either too cheap or cannot afford apartments in the expensive city. For this reason property and apartment owners take advantage of renters.
Example: I replied to a craigslist posting in Bay Ridge (R Train) and this guy wanted to rent me his dining room for $550 a month! No Door. No Privacy (oh he did allow for a sheet to be hanged). Rediculous. He says that his girlfriend comes over every weekend (and his boyfriend comes over throughout the week) but tenant cannot have any overnight guests.
Where in Fair Housing Law does 'any' rights extend to the tenants to have the right to comfortable living or to be able to have guests in the place that they are renting? It does not. Fair Housing Law Protects Slum Lords!
Remember, if you are paying money to rent a room then the landloard does not have the right to restrict a person reasonable accomodations for their guests.
Fair Housing Law is Absurd!
For more information on the rental system in NYC please check out my blog at http://nycaptagent.blogspot.com/
Saturday, June 11, 2011
More Questions or Comments? (Through Email)
If you have any questions or problems with a landlord email me and I will provide some informaiton or direct you to sources that can get you the information you need.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Question from Email
Greetings, ALL!
I have decided to answer the following email:
"thanks for posting this valuable information. in my current housing situation i believe that my landlord enters my room when I am away at work. One day I put an object behind the door as I left and when i cam back home i put my finger under the door and it was not where i left it. from that i know that this woman has been in my room...what should i do?"
ANSWER:
Well, Reader, thanks for reading my blog. I do not suggest any sort of physical abuse of that sort towards your landlord. I suggest that begin your search for a new room to gain more privacy. On one of your off days, make a big fuss about going to work and bring in a shopping bag (filled with plastic grocery bags or anything) to give this woman the impression that you have some "new material in the room". If you have a camera place it on record and leave for about an hour or so. Come back and view the footage and if this woman has been in your room you will have the confirmation. After you move I would suggest suing her in small claims court for violation of privacy. With video evidence you could get up to $9,999 without a trial by jury. Claim that you were "emotionally disturbed" by this violation of your landlord and to add validity to your claim go and see a therapist so that you can "prove" that your were mentally affected.
I bet this would keep the nosy lady out of her tenant's room.
Items you will need:
1. Room rental agreement
2. Proof that you have been living there (if you do not have a rental agreement)
3. The video evidence
4. A police report (when you are getting to move out)
5. A smile and great attitude.
I have decided to answer the following email:
"thanks for posting this valuable information. in my current housing situation i believe that my landlord enters my room when I am away at work. One day I put an object behind the door as I left and when i cam back home i put my finger under the door and it was not where i left it. from that i know that this woman has been in my room...what should i do?"
ANSWER:
Well, Reader, thanks for reading my blog. I do not suggest any sort of physical abuse of that sort towards your landlord. I suggest that begin your search for a new room to gain more privacy. On one of your off days, make a big fuss about going to work and bring in a shopping bag (filled with plastic grocery bags or anything) to give this woman the impression that you have some "new material in the room". If you have a camera place it on record and leave for about an hour or so. Come back and view the footage and if this woman has been in your room you will have the confirmation. After you move I would suggest suing her in small claims court for violation of privacy. With video evidence you could get up to $9,999 without a trial by jury. Claim that you were "emotionally disturbed" by this violation of your landlord and to add validity to your claim go and see a therapist so that you can "prove" that your were mentally affected.
I bet this would keep the nosy lady out of her tenant's room.
Items you will need:
1. Room rental agreement
2. Proof that you have been living there (if you do not have a rental agreement)
3. The video evidence
4. A police report (when you are getting to move out)
5. A smile and great attitude.
BlogOnly! Tips (#1): Apartment Brokers
When dealing with apartment brokers in NYC always have a list of what you expect for the apartment.
Try to find some of the cheapest places that offers the most comfort. Apartment brokers in NYC recieves a commission equal to 1 or 1.5 the amount of the rent (if the apartment is $1000 a month the commission is between $1000 and $1500 upfront).
The fees you should expect (in this hypothetical case of $1000 rent)
1. First Month's Rent $1000
2. Security Deposit $1000 (No more than 1 month...people dont need that much security....if you get the gist)
3. Brokerage fee $1500
So what you will pay upfront is $3,500 before you get the keys to the apartment. If you have good negotiation skills $3000. (get the "take it or leave it" phrase in your blood and stick to it even if you like the place)
Before you shell out that sum of cash make sure it's the place that you like in a community that you like.
Is this place over a restaurant, bar, or strip club?
Is the MTA right outside your window?
Are prostitutes sitting at your door step 24/7?
Will you child or dog get hit by a car when they come out of the building?
Is the MTA in walking distance?
When was the last shooting in this neighborhood?
Are fruit vendors all around (if so you will have too many damn flies!) Trust Me!!!
Remember this is NYC and there are no "Safe Areas" in NYC. Dont Be Stupid, Dont Be Pressured, and Dont Overpay!!!
Try to find some of the cheapest places that offers the most comfort. Apartment brokers in NYC recieves a commission equal to 1 or 1.5 the amount of the rent (if the apartment is $1000 a month the commission is between $1000 and $1500 upfront).
The fees you should expect (in this hypothetical case of $1000 rent)
1. First Month's Rent $1000
2. Security Deposit $1000 (No more than 1 month...people dont need that much security....if you get the gist)
3. Brokerage fee $1500
So what you will pay upfront is $3,500 before you get the keys to the apartment. If you have good negotiation skills $3000. (get the "take it or leave it" phrase in your blood and stick to it even if you like the place)
Before you shell out that sum of cash make sure it's the place that you like in a community that you like.
Is this place over a restaurant, bar, or strip club?
Is the MTA right outside your window?
Are prostitutes sitting at your door step 24/7?
Will you child or dog get hit by a car when they come out of the building?
Is the MTA in walking distance?
When was the last shooting in this neighborhood?
Are fruit vendors all around (if so you will have too many damn flies!) Trust Me!!!
Remember this is NYC and there are no "Safe Areas" in NYC. Dont Be Stupid, Dont Be Pressured, and Dont Overpay!!!
Be Aware of Housing Discrimination and Unfair Rents
Make sure that you are not a victim of housing discrimination!
In New York City (as well as other states) the Fair Housing Law provides each applicant with equal opportunity and access to real estate.
If you do not speak English well then you have the right to have the documents translated into a language that you can understand or have someone there that you trust to read the contracts for you WITHOUT THE INTERFERENCE OF THE LANDLORD.
Housing in New York City is becomming a problem especially in Asian and Latin Communities where landlords charge Americans and other's who do not share their ethnicity higher rental rates.
This is mostly the case in all sections of Queens, New York. Always be on alert when renting rooms or apartments from persons of Asian and Latin ethnic origin.
Some tips would be to get the local newspaper to check the prices against what is being asked...also call some of the building management companies and get the rates for their buildings.
If you are renting an apartment "by owner" you should not pay an annual management fee, brokerage fee, or any other "fees" associated with upkeep of the properties. In addition, the rent should be CHEAPER than "brokerage managed businesses"!
Also, you should not pay more than $600 a month for a room in New York (except midtown manhattan). Any other places such as all of Queens, Brooklyn, and definately the Bronx no more than $600 and that includes everything (all utilities, should be furnished, have wifi, kitchen, bathroom, and more) If the landlord does not offer this MOVE ON to better services.
Remember, protect yourself and dont be stupid! If you have a weak mind you will not make it here in New York.
Landlord " I have a room for rent in queens for $800 a month or $250 a week"
You: "Fahgeddaboudit! Fukouttahere!" (and go somewhere else)
In New York City (as well as other states) the Fair Housing Law provides each applicant with equal opportunity and access to real estate.
If you do not speak English well then you have the right to have the documents translated into a language that you can understand or have someone there that you trust to read the contracts for you WITHOUT THE INTERFERENCE OF THE LANDLORD.
Housing in New York City is becomming a problem especially in Asian and Latin Communities where landlords charge Americans and other's who do not share their ethnicity higher rental rates.
This is mostly the case in all sections of Queens, New York. Always be on alert when renting rooms or apartments from persons of Asian and Latin ethnic origin.
Some tips would be to get the local newspaper to check the prices against what is being asked...also call some of the building management companies and get the rates for their buildings.
If you are renting an apartment "by owner" you should not pay an annual management fee, brokerage fee, or any other "fees" associated with upkeep of the properties. In addition, the rent should be CHEAPER than "brokerage managed businesses"!
Also, you should not pay more than $600 a month for a room in New York (except midtown manhattan). Any other places such as all of Queens, Brooklyn, and definately the Bronx no more than $600 and that includes everything (all utilities, should be furnished, have wifi, kitchen, bathroom, and more) If the landlord does not offer this MOVE ON to better services.
Remember, protect yourself and dont be stupid! If you have a weak mind you will not make it here in New York.
Landlord " I have a room for rent in queens for $800 a month or $250 a week"
You: "Fahgeddaboudit! Fukouttahere!" (and go somewhere else)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Inquiry about why a person should not rent from a home that does not have furniture
The current recession has left many homes vacant and unattended by authorities or the banks. In NYC people have the tendency to post vacant properties online and provide to steal people's money. It's done by the a team of expert thrives: electricity (if there's any) is provided by neighboring apartments to trick the occupant into believing that there is service. In addition they always offer wifi: the neighbor changes the name in the wifi and they will have you to connect via cellular phone to trick you.
If a person is renting you a room in their "spare" property ask to see some information like a light bill to validate that the person actually owns this vacant space and make sure that the bill is current! Also validate ownership using NY's open records files to match the names to the properties.
Remember it's hard for the police to recover stolen money from craigslist. People are collectively cheated out of millions per year. Its always better to deal business with post office money orders! If a person cannot accept a government money order then they are not legitimate business owners.
If a person is renting you a room in their "spare" property ask to see some information like a light bill to validate that the person actually owns this vacant space and make sure that the bill is current! Also validate ownership using NY's open records files to match the names to the properties.
Remember it's hard for the police to recover stolen money from craigslist. People are collectively cheated out of millions per year. Its always better to deal business with post office money orders! If a person cannot accept a government money order then they are not legitimate business owners.
City Habitat
Greetings, ALL!
City Habitat is an excellent renting agent for apartments in NYC and I would also recommend them if you wanted to purchase a property in the Metro NYC area. There is a really nice location on 1st and 14th street (on the L line) that can assist you or you can always visit their webpage (www.citi-habitats.com)
I would like to welcome you to NYC and I wish you the best in your apartment search.
R. Willis
City Habitat is an excellent renting agent for apartments in NYC and I would also recommend them if you wanted to purchase a property in the Metro NYC area. There is a really nice location on 1st and 14th street (on the L line) that can assist you or you can always visit their webpage (www.citi-habitats.com)
I would like to welcome you to NYC and I wish you the best in your apartment search.
R. Willis
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