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The Invisible Lines
getting it
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 102

Hi All,

Just a friendly public announcement about Millennium Real Estate/Supreme Management, who own several buildings in Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Park Slope.

Be warned. I signed a lease with them in November, 2011 for a studio at 677 Classon btw St. Marks and Bergen. I have been there ever since. The lease, which was at the time rent-stabilized, was for $1000 per month. It did go up to $1035 eventually, as to be expected as per NYC law; however, in the last two weeks of February I, and all tenants in the building, received *new* leases saying that our current lease would expire on March 1st (again, I sign my leases in November). My rent increased by 15.4% ($200 dollars), and I was asked for a new security deposit of $2,390 (along with a meet-the-balance fee of $320). So in order to not have eviction papers filed in LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, I would not only have to pay over $2,700, I would also have to agree to a 15.4% rent increase.

It's not just me. I asked everyone I know in the building, and they got the same notice. I've spoken with them on the phone and they said the building was not rent-stabilized, since of course that clause was taken out of the new lease! Unfortunately because of the timeframe given, I don't have the time, energy, or finances to properly fight this. And even if I did, I would not want to live in a building overseen by such a "business." The funny thing is that they've always been so nice with me over the phone. I've always paid my rent, and I've never had any complaints against me. When speaking with the person I normally talk to there, I was told, audaciously, "We could have raised it by $500 if we felt like it." Wowzers.

So, I'm just putting this out there as a warning. It's really unfortunately because I've always felt like they were the best landlords I've ever had. Until this came out of nowhere and they treated us all like we were squatting in a meth den.

This is an obvious move to force out long-time tenants so they can rent for higher in the up-and-coming Crown Heights. It's just sad to see loyal leasers treated like this. It's inhumane (I know there's one woman in the building with an infant, for fucksake), and stinks of illegality. So, that's my two cents.

# Posted 2 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,096

I realize that you have chosen not to fight.

However, if you have neighbors who are interested in learning about their rights, and/or seeing whether the landlords are doing anything illegal, they could contact HCR's Rent Infoline or the tenant organizers at the Pratt Area Community Council.

Here are links:

http://www.nyshcr.org/AboutUs/contact.htm

http://pacc.publishpath.com/community--tenant-organizing

Do you have any idea/guess what portion of your neighbors will choose (i.e. "be forced") to leave as a result of this new policy?

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 mos ago
ehgee
getting it
Joined: Dec '12
Posts: 66

That sounds very shady. Not being a lawyer, breaking a lease mid-year without any consideration (compensation) does sound illegal.

It does appear your building is not on the rent-stabilized buildings list, despite being old:
http://www.housingnyc.com/downloads/resources/sta_bldngs/2011BrooklynBldgs.pdf
Are there less than 6 apartments? Online listings show the building as being built in 1990; perhaps it was abandoned & then refurbished enough to count as a new building?
http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/Property/148698/677-Classon-Ave-Brooklyn-NY-11238/
Perhaps your landlords recently discovered that their building, despite being old enough that they would expect rent stabilization to apply, wasn't actually stabilized, and are attempting to break their leases early?

Unless there is a clause in your lease allowing your landlord to break it early, what you landlord is doing is illegal. If you have a standard rent-stabilized lease, I am pretty sure there is no such clause. Be sure to document all interactions-- even if you don't have time to fight this now, you might well have a case against your landlord for arbitrarily breaking your lease before its expiration. If you are still in the apartment, I would submit the rent as specified in the lease, and if checks are not accepted, keep the money in escrow. Don't sign a new lease-- since you have a valid lease, you can't be evicted.

# Posted 2 mos ago
tsarina
above average
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 486

If your building is 6 units or more than you are rent stabilized- if its in the lease or not. There are a million rules that give you rights. Look into it.

# Posted 2 mos ago
ehgee
getting it
Joined: Dec '12
Posts: 66

http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/s/590ph6
Here is a photo of the building in the 80s. It appears a first-floor window may be broken, so perhaps the building was abandoned then.

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/PropertyProfileOverviewServlet?boro=3&houseno=677&street=classon+avenue&go2=+GO+&requestid=0
The certificate of occupancy is from 1989.

My building was bricked in when it had its old tax photo, and now has a "J-51" note on the rent stabilization list, which I believe means the landlords took a tax break in exchange for making the units stabilized again.

# Posted 2 mos ago
Cool The Kid
We out this mother effer
Joined: Jan '07
Posts: 1,385

tsarina said:
If your building is 6 units or more than you are rent stabilized- if its in the lease or not. There are a million rules that give you rights. Look into it.

All apts under the rent threshold and in buildings with more than 6 units are rent controlled? This is news to me (no snark!).

[
Mamacita said:
I <3 CTK

# Posted 2 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,096

I actually know a worker at the HCR Rent Info Line, 718-739-6400

If you PM me, I'll give you her name.

She could resolve most of these questions.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 mos ago
tateinbk
above average
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 503

Cool the Kid, It was my understanding that all buildings of more than 5 units, below $2,500/mo that were built before a certain date (1970s?) are rent stabilized.

# Posted 2 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,096

Tate-
That is often true, but not always.

http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/faq/rentstab.html

http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/faq/decontrol.html#undergo

http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/faq/421a-J51.html

http://www.nyshcr.org/Rent/FactSheets/orafac1.htm

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 mos ago
bkrest
what am I, new?
Joined: Feb '13
Posts: 5

Though they may seem to have the upper hand. Never concede your rights so quickly. I am fighting a similar fight. Landlord lawyers I have encountered have not been so bright, but they are good at taking advantage of those who are unaware of their rights. A lease in a binding contract and you have the right to pay the rent agreed to until November. Second, if they thought they were rent stabilized, they likely are. This can be confirmed by requesting a full rent history for your apartment from the DHCR office on Hanson Place. If they take you to court, so be it, you have your lease and do the research by using the links that whynot supplied. I doubt that they would do that anyway ( sounds like a baseless threat ) you can only go to court for non-payment of rent of for staying after your lease has expired. You have more time to do your research because your lease ends in November. Don't concede your rights so quickly! It's becoming increasingly harder to find an affordable rent stabilized apartment in this city and the landlords are getting away with a lot because they are not being challenged.

# Posted 2 mos ago
eastbloc
comprador bourgeois
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 902

I agree with bkrest. This is a case of throwing crap at the wall to see what sticks. Push back and they'll likely fold fast.

There's probably a line of bleeding-heart law students tripping over themselves to help you pro bono if you know where to look.

# Posted 2 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,096

In my experience well-intentioned, bleeding-heart, pro-bono law students and "activists" often do more harm than good.

I'd avoid them.

If, after contacting HCR and doing some other research, you believe that you have case, go to the pros:

http://www.ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds/housing-issues

http://www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/Tenant_Rights_2011.pdf

If you have questions, the Pratt Area Community Council will be more than happy to help you as well.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 mos ago
prodigalson
above average
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 330

When I was in law school students were forced to do pro bono work as part of the curriculum. That was ages ago but it's likely to still be the situation today.

Brooklyn Is God's Country!

# Posted 2 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,096

I believe that they are still forced to do pro bono work, and am of the opinion that the requirement is certainly good for the student.

...Sadly, I have had enough situations where the student lawyers are so poorly supervised and informed that they are not a benefit to the client.

As a result, I advise people to get assistance from people who are paid, and regualry provide such advice and get training on such topics as a result of their full time position.

....there is enough need in NYC that the law students can learn on someone else.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 mos ago
The Invisible Lines
getting it
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 102

Thanks all for the advice (and yes, there are more than 6 units -- there are actually 12, all studio-style). I appreciate the help and insight and will definitely pass this along to others in the building.

# Posted 2 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,096

An article that says what we said, in a different way:

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/03/19/how_to_find_a_tenants_rights_lawyer.php#more

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 mos ago