Ebbets Field Apartments get a make over

whynot_31

Those who have preferential rent should be advised that (in the current climate) it is just a matter of time before their rent is increased to the Legal rent.

It may happen at the next lease renewal, or the one afterward.

Hence, they should come up with a plan. ...which may be a very unpleasant option, but still better than shelters.

mugofmead111

Newer versions of this sign have been spotted on the lawns: <img src="https://animalfair.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/NYCsign2-276x400.jpg">

It's interesting to see these signs from the city posted prominently on private property.

mugofmead111

Serious fire caused by burning rubbish outside of 47 McKeever Place. Major smoke conditions in 77 Sullivan Place, adjacent building. No reported fatalities, but some people taken away by ambulance.

whynot_31

I think that is the same fire as this one:

https://twitter.com/FireWireNYC/status/901654761178628097

mugofmead111

My friend and I were listening to the scanner; i thought they had said 47 McKeever at one point. Smoke was pouring in through residents' doors. Part of the floor is still covered with black soot.

whynot_31

I'm glad no one was hurt. Such fires are often caused by not-fully-extinquished cigarettes.

whynot_31

booklaw

Note the Long Island area code on the “For more information” phone #. Outside agitators?

chiddy

mugofmead111 said:

I am trying to understand why tenants who agreed to preferential rent see it as such a crisis.

not many people are aware of preferential rent's instability/freedom to change at will. sure, you can blame them, though think about who has access to full information about these clauses and laws. i have been living in my current building in crown heights under a preferential rent agreement since 2004, and only in 2016 was it removed. hope you can see why that would have people up in arms. there is no warning nor caution that the entire preferential clause will disappear, it just does. it's also not like preferential rent is a complete privilege, it was implemented as a legitimate form of rent stabilization and security. so for the 2003 clause to appear and cause this loophole is also jarring. also preferential rent agreements are sometimes given bc of apartment conditions. for example i live in a building built in 1900, has not been renovated in ages. makes sense to pay at a preferential rate. how is it fair to be charged at legal rate living in an apartment with kitchen appliances from the 1980s?

Marco555

@chiddy I don’t see how asking whether something is “fair” works here. I pay a ridiculous amount for a small, market rate apartment while many around me pay significantly less for much larger, subsidized places. It’s hard to see “fairness” in that but it’s accepted and even encouraged. I pay it because that’s what the market has determined it’s worth and I’ve decided to accept it for the time being and both work harder and cut back in many ways to support it.

whynot_31

Many tenants in rent stabilized units (especially those who have preferential rent) have grown to accept that landlords will do very little to upgrade their appliances. So, they either make due with their old appliances or upgrade them on their own. ...they are not willing to pay the increases that come from having the landlord do it and/or the landlord simply won't do it.

tsarina

Rent stabilized apartments have regulated rents that can only increase by a predetermined amount. When legal rents are above market rents, preferential rents are offered. When the market changes the preferential rent can change also. If the old appliances are serviceable, and you are paying a low rent, what incentive does the landlord have to provide you with new upgraded appliances?

whynot_31

Ebbets residents are being encouraged to AirBnB their units. ...short term gains, fraught with risk. http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/tenants-risk-airbnb-ads-flood-brooklyn-apartments-article-1.3882024

mugofmead111

tsarina said:

Rent stabilized apartments have regulated rents that can only increase by a predetermined amount. When legal rents are above market rents, preferential rents are offered. When the market changes the preferential rent can change also. If the old appliances are serviceable, and you are paying a low rent, what incentive does the landlord have to provide you with new upgraded appliances?

I've only seen new(ish) appliances in the renovated units in the complex.

@chiddy @tsarina - If your landlord were to replace your appliance, and you live in a rent-stabilized unit, your landlord has the right to increase your rent permanently: http://metcouncilonhousing.org/help_and_answers/broken_appliances_and_fixtures

If the appliance still works, why get rid of it?

mugofmead111

Marco555 said:

@chiddy I don’t see how asking whether something is “fair” works here. I pay a ridiculous amount for a small, market rate apartment while many around me pay significantly less for much larger, subsidized places. It’s hard to see “fairness” in that but it’s accepted and even encouraged. I pay it because that’s what the market has determined it’s worth and I’ve decided to accept it for the time being and both work harder and cut back in many ways to support it.

@Marco555 - How do you know they are subsidized? Are you talking about Section 8?

mugofmead111

booklaw said:

Note the Long Island area code on the “For more information” phone #. Outside agitators?

I suspect it's someone's cell phone number. (How many city residents have cell phone numbers that have area codes that are from outside of NYC?)

"Outside agitators" are fine as long as they are allies.

whynot_31

I've read a lot of speculation that the building's management is behind the AriBnB flyers, so that they can later evict tenants for violating their lease. However, I have also heard that the flyers are offering to list tenants apartments FOR A FEE, which makes me believe this is the work of an entity that has no relationship to the building's management.

whynot_31

However, here is the kicker: The management of the building may BENEFIT from AirBnB tenants even if it is not interested in evicting tenants for violating their lease ...because AirBnB tenants are often white and this may allow prospective white tenants of the renovated apartments to believe they won't be such a minority in the building.

mugofmead111

whynot_31 said:

I've read a lot of speculation that the building's management is behind the AriBnB flyers, so that they can later evict tenants for violating their lease. However, I have also heard that the flyers are offering to list tenants apartments FOR A FEE, which makes me believe this is the work of an entity that has no relationship to the building's management.

I dunno why someone would want to to Air BnB in the complex - either the tenant of record, or someone who wants to rent a room.

mugofmead111

whynot_31 said:

However, here is the kicker: The management of the building may BENEFIT from AirBnB tenants even if it is not interested in evicting tenants for violating their lease ...because AirBnB tenants are often white and this may have allow prospective white tenants of the renovated apartments to believe they won't be such a minority in the building.

They didn't realize the dynamics when they looked at the building? When they moved in?

Unless they are going to be active in building events (like tenants meetings) or community events, I wonder why this would be a salient issue.

whynot_31

People are often afraid of such dynamics regardless of whether they will actually be affected them. Hence, the presence of a few white people tends to cause a snowball effect. [or, um, snowflakes become blizzards]

mugofmead111

Scott Stringer came to tonight’s tenants meeting.

whynot_31

Is building management continuing to pursue eviction against any and all tenants who are late on their rent or violate building rules?

mugofmead111

Members of labor are here too.

Met Council too

mugofmead111

He is advocating for “Mitchell Lama 2” model.

mugofmead111

He wanted to talk about larger issues relating to housing, but he wants to partner with different reps to address existing issues with repairs in the building.

whynot_31

This weekend more politicians will be visiting.

https://twitter.com/whynot_31/status/981747400950845440

mugofmead111

1700 Bedford Avenue has four elevators. It is the largest building in the complex. Yet, two elevators have been out of service for over 1.5 months. Residents have been trying to get them fixed. There are ECB violations on record in relation to the elevators.

mugofmead111

@whynot_31
re:"Is building management continuing to pursue eviction against any and all tenants who are late on their rent or violate building rules?"

I would suspect so (re: late payment). As for violation of building rules...what rules?

The involvement of Met Council is encouraging.

Last night's meeting apparently had more attendees than in a while.

mugofmead111

This is why the loss of BROOKLYNIAN will be disappointing.