Anybody know any programs or services that specialize in eviction prevention/housing assistance? Former employer is putting me in a bad situation and I got to fight off a landlord until the checks from my new gig come in.
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
4. "yeah but even the headache of dealing with the court system" In response to Reply # 3
is a terrible introduction to a new job setting. Don't necessarily want "court" to be the purpose for my first time off requests, especially if it ends up being some repeated thing.
I know the process is an ace in the whole but the time I'd spend in court means less time at work means less money equals continuing cycle.
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
11. "you live in the Bronx? Go to the legal aid society at..." In response to Reply # 0
260 east 161st street, 8th floor is for civil cases. Bring your lease, eviction notice and pay stubs. Also, you should try Bronxworks/Homebase. They're right next to the Housing Court. Its funded privately, so the process is faster than dealing with the government. But, your income has to be low. Very low. The one-shot deal grant eligibility is more broad (in terms of income level). Getting an approval letter as soon as possible will help you get more time by the judge. Did you call the marshal's office? Find out if they have a date set.
13. "Private owner or property manager/rental company?" In response to Reply # 0
I've always had good luck with just telling the landlord my situation, and even showing them that I have some money coming in (info about new job). Never tried this in a place with a management company tho.
in general if your eviction becomes official you will have to go to court. I know in brooklyn, they have one night per week where they hold late hours. i assume its the same in the bronx
18. "basically the way it has been relayed to me is that:" In response to Reply # 17
I had an agreement/lease in principal that covered a year lease. After a year my lease extends to month to month (in perpetuity).
Essentially I can't be a trespasser because:
- in a residential scenario, I have a lease, for which they cannot collect rent.
- in a commercial scenario, to come after me for trespassing would be to self-snitch and report ALL of their tenants, meaning they would have to push out everyone, pay the expensive fees for the correct certification, and lose all the rent from people currently paying who aren't wise.
At this point it's cheaper to keep me as nonpaying rather than rock the boat. I even see they are raising rent on available units, but like by $400, I'm sure to offset the difference....cause I don't think I'm the only one in the building living rent free.
When I moved in I took over the apartment from a coworker that was moving to DC. His rent was $850 a month. When I moved in in May 2013 the rent went up to $1250 a month. NOW? These mugfuggas asking for $1650 a month....$800 increase a month in not even 2 years time. Somebody Lying (c)
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
pay something so you can have a record of the owner accepting money for your stay put the rest in escrow
sorry these scenarios make me nervous talk to teef! *puts on tinfoil hat* ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
30. "RE: nothing is free" In response to Reply # 21
true indeed.
Thing is the landlord wouldn't even accept my rent when I tried to pay. I could have been caught up already and been resolved with the issue. But I think they wanted me to move out so that they could raise the rent on my unit. It's funny cause after examining everything they would have been so much better off taking my money when I offered.
Now what I am going to do is take the money I budget for rent, put it in savings, plus get a secured credit card and pay down some debt + fix my credit....for how long? Who knows lol
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
>Thing is the landlord wouldn't even accept my rent when I >tried to pay. I could have been caught up already and been >resolved with the issue. But I think they wanted me to move >out so that they could raise the rent on my unit. It's funny >cause after examining everything they would have been so much >better off taking my money when I offered.
keep "trying" send the checks make a copy of the envelope when it gets sent back keep that open a safety deposit box and store them in that
>Now what I am going to do is take the money I budget for rent, >put it in savings, plus get a secured credit card and pay down >some debt + fix my credit....for how long? Who knows lol
exactly but also keep records i say try to take them to court as in make an effort for you records and when they dont respond *shruggles*
KIM ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
40. "Well I got the entire e-mail chain saved." In response to Reply # 37
I learned to do everything documented for protection because my old employer (also best friend of my landlord) was paying me illegally. I caught him redhanded and was able to flip that into a check for $25,000.
Now I'm taking his buddy down through there because it appears bird of a feather flock together. But I got it all in writing.
I am currently looking to get them to admit in writing (beyond my lease, etc) that they knowingly rented me an apartment. They are so slick, like in my lease they say I am renting square footage instead of an apartment, but it is still designated as an apartment on their own paperwork. Too messy, but I'm loving it.
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
i would try to verbally work out a deal for lower rent and staying for a year a bit of peace of mind and it will give you some space to get where you need to be
they might balk but... *shrug* worse case scenario is everything in here =) ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
46. "Reply 45, but sincerely" In response to Reply # 44
they can't even accept rent. I've tried to make partial, full and assisted payment and they denied it, because what they want is me out of the unit. But they bluffed me with a fake (essentially) eviction petition, and they have no other hail marys to toss up. If I play this right I'll be sitting pretty for a sec.
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
49. "keep copies of all" In response to Reply # 46
and records of the rejection
if you can make a diary of the conversation for the reason for each date and time
heh and yep go forth and prosper
>they can't even accept rent. I've tried to make partial, full >and assisted payment and they denied it, because what they >want is me out of the unit. But they bluffed me with a fake >(essentially) eviction petition, and they have no other hail >marys to toss up. If I play this right I'll be sitting pretty >for a sec. > >
~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
51. "I need a gif of Fresh when he eating the Snickers" In response to Reply # 49
outside the bodega....
last Wednesday was epic. Went from finding a cheaper apartment to finding out I can sit pretty for a sec. Only better feeling was being able to quit my last gig and get a settlement but this is a clooooose second if not 1B.
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
23. "it's not hard to find that information" In response to Reply # 20 Tue Feb-17-15 11:35 AM by teefiveten
you could go onto the DOB website and look for a certificate of occupancy which outlines what the building is allowed to be used for
i had a friend living in an illegal converted loft. it's a huge building and if you look at the CO the legal use is non-livable artist work space but the whole building is a rental apartment building and people are clearly living there.
a clue is if you live in a big ass building and utilities are included-that means it's not submetered out like most legal apartment buildings
also if you live in a basement unit where more than 50% of the apartment is underground (ie no light/air coming in from the street from windows), then that's also illegal
I was able to search my address in this portal and see all to complaints, certificates, etc that they had (or were supposed to have).
From there I did some research on the interwebs and bounced my findings off the reps from the organization that were going to help with my arrears and was able to determine this situation. I'm going to go to civil court and get the case opened thrown out (THEY HAD TO OPEN THE PETITION IN COMMERCIAL COURT, NOT HOUSING COURT) and from there they won't have any legal recourse for any action. Worst thing that can happen to me is that at some point they actually get their legit paperwork, but only then will I owe current rent, no back rent, and my lease will still be effective so I will be covered for that period. If they void the lease I will have money saved for a new place by then. Crazy how it's all worked out.
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
42. "Maaaaaaaan, I'm sitting at the table with" In response to Reply # 33
Big joker, Little Joker, Duece, Duece, Ace AND my partner cutting everything else. They have no clue. Right now I've basically told them or asked why my case isn't in Housing Court and to open the case in the appropriate court so that the organization for my arrears can step in a pay (But of course the landlord can't).
They are stuck, and don't even know it.
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
22. "oh shit you are living the dream!!!" In response to Reply # 16
yeah fuck that don't pay save that money for when you do have to move b/c that landlord can either tell on himself or get goons to kick you out (or do some goon shit like a fire)
it may be hard looking for a new place b/c you can't exactly use him as a reference but at least you'll have the $$
>b/c that landlord can either tell on himself or get goons to >kick you out (or do some goon shit like a fire)
Is it common for the latter to occur? I'd be so paranoid in that instance since it's hard to defend yourself or your stuff 24/7 with a landlord that would be that scrupulous.
26. "people are assholes and we have a history of doing that in nyc" In response to Reply # 24 Tue Feb-17-15 11:50 AM by teefiveten
even today
there was a Humans of NY where they talked to a fireman who works in Williamsburg/Bushwick and he said as much-that he feels most of the fires he's fighting are intentionally set by landlords
then there was the news that broke last week that HPD inspectors were intimidating tenants into leaving
then there are other stories of landlords hiring goons (well contractors really but theyre being goons) to go into an apartment for "Repairs", FUCK UP the apartment so that DOB comes out and says it is uninhabitable, and therefore leaving that tenant without a home. right to return is there but the landlord can basically sit and do no repairs until the tenant decides they need to actually live somewhere. there's nothing to compel the landlord to repair the damage in a timely manner-courts take too long and not everyone knows their rights. people just find somewhere else to live then the landlord goes in and does the repairs and rents it out to someone else at the higher rent he desired
31. "maybe negotiate the "rent' down?" In response to Reply # 28
*wink wink*
all the rest he can talk about in person with them or not just send the checks
also change the locks on your doors dude asap
*adjusts tinfoil hat/shifty eyes* ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
34. "changing locks wont help" In response to Reply # 31
dude can always bust the door down but as a tenant-legal or not, he still has rights and i doubt the LL would be that bad because po-po would step in and be on the tenant's side
but i would totally just send checks of whatever the fuck i feel like paying lol
and i remember that case of the landlord doing "repairs" and making the apt(s) unlivable by demolishing the kitchen and bathroom
thats happened before in the 80s lol, yes i'm paranoid
change the locks so they would HAVE to break in
but note dont do anything foolish leave running water on leave the stove on leave a heater on
from here on in let NO one into your apt ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
45. "well this is my intention at the moment:" In response to Reply # 28
the landlord has posed the initial stance that they won't accept any payments unless it is in court.
To me I will always fall back on that. I am going to be saving money, in the amount of my rent, so it will appear that I am doing that in good faith.
However, whenever the landlord pressures me about rent:
1. I can volley it back to them regarding a court date 2. I can show that an organization is waiting to make the back payment IF they can put the case in the appropriate court.
....except they can't. So it should end up in this merry go round scenario where I keep stacking, they keep asking, and I keep deferring to the court (since THEY insisted that). After a bit I can just up and move and they will have no ground for back rent.
Plus I know these guys well enough from dealing with my boss. Aint no goons. There are like 45 units, and like maybe 3 people are living rent free. They are going to rock the boat too much and risk the 40 units they do collect on. Meanwhile, I'll stay under the radar and keep my plan going and should leave with about $8,000, much improved credit, and a glowing recommendation from my landlord.
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
i get very conspiracy theory like about it *shifty eyes*
~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
stack those bills ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
47. "a DOB inspector looked me in the face in E. Harlem" In response to Reply # 26
standing on the street and he says at one location he was sick of people complaining about violations and felt that people needed to be taught a lesson so he said since they were complaining about their building shaking he deemed it uninhabitable put all 6 families out in the street
he was proud too i hope he was one of those people arrested
"i fear no fate" e.e. cummings "No girl. No fried chicken. I'm going back to get some sleep." - Haruki Murakami
36. "that's the funniest thing!" In response to Reply # 22
I was a literally about to rent this spot in Wakefield when I discovered this, like the same day! I figured it out and was like "let me get my deposit back!"
AND I think when I'm ready to move the landlord will actually have glowing things to say about me because they are going to want the space emptied to re-rent. If they say bad things about me to a prospective landlord then I would just stay where I am lol...I'm sure they want me out ASAP.
________________________________________________ R.I.P. Soulgyal <3 SUPA NERD LLC. Knowledge Meets Nature Musica Negra #13irteen
lol i first learned about this via a village voice article sometime after graduating undergrad and well before i decided to go into housing
i was fascinated. i should try and find that article it was mostly about illegal loft conversions
when i found out my friend was in one, i told him he should stop paying rent a few months before he knew he'd be leaving b/c there's no way they'd take him to court about it.
55. "RE: OKNYC: Eviction Help" In response to Reply # 0 Tue Feb-17-15 05:27 PM by Sarah_Bellum
This happened to a friend of mine. The landlord broke in to break nremove the heaters so he would leave the illegal apartment and tried to kick him out. He also wrecked some of his stuff. The friend took the landlord to court and ended up getting some of his rent back and moving expenses. I would say have an emergency place to go just in case you come home one day to find yourself locked out and move all of your valuables to a secure location. Document everything with pictures of your apartment and paperwork. Try to communicate only through email and text message with your land lord. Also keep copies of all your paperwork in another location separate from your house.
58. "*ADJUSTS TINFOIL HAT*" In response to Reply # 55
Change the locks!!!!!! ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
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