I am currently about to sign a new lease in BK paying more than my target price in rent for a place with no utilites included. I have always had water and heat provided by the landlord. Anyone else pay all utilities? I have no frame of reference and dont know what to expect for heat/water. Tried calling ConEd but they were really vague about it and couldn't give me anything concrete. If anyone has any numbers to share it would be appreciated
Thanks,
JM
Hhhhmmm... I've lived in every borough apart from SI and in all my previous apts, heat & hot wHet has always been included. You might want to pm Pakhan about this, or at the very least try 311.
I'd ask the super how he bills for such utilities, i doubt each apt. has it's own meter so does he divide the total bill by number of apt's rented?
Ive never heard of a landlord not provide heat and water. Everything else is up to the tenant, but unless you control the boiler, you shouldnt have to pay the landlord a cent, thats why you pay rent. Its part of the basics.
There have been thousands of cases where tenants dont get heat and sue the landlord. Its a major offense and can land them in jail and fined lots of money.
I wouldnt sign if I were you. You really have no idea how much heating your home costs.
In all the apartments I've lived in I have never had to pay water or heating bills.
I believe landlord is required by law to provide heating:
Just by way of a quick recap, as of October 1, 2007, owners are required to provide residential tenants with an indoor temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit between 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. when the outdoor temperature falls below 55 degrees. Between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M., indoor temperatures must be maintained at a minimum of 55 degrees when the outdoor temperature falls below 40 degrees.
Hot water temperatures must remain at a constant minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you live in the five boroughs, lodging a complaint is as easy as dialing 311.
http://www.nyrealestatelawblog.com/heat/index.html (http://www.nyrealestatelawblog.com/heat/index.html)
Quote from: opinion914 on October 09, 2008, 08:24:15 AM
I'd ask the super how he bills for such utilities, i doubt each apt. has it's own meter so does he divide the total bill by number of apt's rented?
Its a new apt building and I believe it was intedned for people to buy. Given the current state of the housing market the landlord decided to rent one of the units. With that said, I am under the impression that each apt actualy does have it own meter.
Looking for an apt sucks!!!!
The only way I can imagine you paying your own heat and hot water is if each unit has it's own system, like a town house or garden apartment. Even then, this is not common in NYC. If otherwise, I would look for a new place. Your best bet about cost is speak to the tennants. Keep in mind, thermostat at 75 and open windows will cost you.
Quote from: howie on October 09, 2008, 12:44:45 PM
The only way I can imagine you paying your own heat and hot water is if each unit has it's own system, like a town house or garden apartment. Even then, this is not common in NYC. If otherwise, I would look for a new place. Your best bet about cost is speak to the tennants. Keep in mind, thermostat at 75 and open windows will cost you.
The building is basically empty. We would be one of the first units filled. So, unfortunately there really arent any tenants to ask.
Just double checked, it definitely has separately metered facilities. And according to the realitor, who may be lying thru her teeth, "in the past typically the landlord paid the utilities, however that is increasingly changing. With new construction and separately metered apartments landlords are opting to have tenants pay the costs themselves."
Quote from: jmoses on October 09, 2008, 12:51:31 PM
"in the past typically the landlord paid the utilities, however that is increasingly changing
*coughBullShitcough*
Have you checked out StreeEasy to find good comps? That said, I was made to just thru all sorts of F*cking hoops to rent my first apartment in NYC as a 21 year old. You may have very little bargaining power, but if the entire building is empty I say let'em sweat a few weeks. It's alread post-summer so all the new students and new employees are settled. Given the amount of blood on Wall Street, time is your friend.
That said, if you fell in love with the place then you are going to have to take it as is.
Just curious... is this apartment on 6th btwn 22nd & 23rd, or on the corner of 6th & 21st? How about 23rd bwtn 6th & 7th, or 7th at 23rd?
Quote from: goldenchild on October 09, 2008, 02:13:39 PM
Just curious... is this apartment on 6th btwn 22nd & 23rd, or on the corner of 6th & 21st? How about 23rd bwtn 6th & 7th, or 7th at 23rd?
There all the make the beast with two backsing same. lol its NYC. a place it live is a place to live. rats or not. As long as its cheap, not completely filthy (aka the rats dont bite) its worth it.
Cdawgs right. if someone is renting out a condo, then thats probably why its like that. How much is it and where is it located?
Theres been a MASSIVE development of condos on 4th ave in brooklyn. ALOT of them will not be filled. Developers were pushing for them to be built and the economy is just tanking right now. but if you have the funds, now would be a good time to buy!
Quote from: He Man on October 09, 2008, 07:11:37 PM
There all the make the beast with two backsing same. lol its NYC. a place it live is a place to live. rats or not. As long as its cheap, not completely filthy (aka the rats dont bite) its worth it.
Cdawgs right. if someone is renting out a condo, then thats probably why its like that. How much is it and where is it located?
Theres been a MASSIVE development of condos on 4th ave in brooklyn. ALOT of them will not be filled. Developers were pushing for them to be built and the economy is just tanking right now. but if you have the funds, now would be a good time to buy!
While it might be the right time to buy, another factor to consider is the monthly maintenance fee. Between the mortgage and maintenance fee, it could quickly become unaffordable not to mention the ridiculous "assessments" conveniently tacked on should the building need additional funds for improvements. Another thing to be aware of is dealing with the Board of Directors who can easily change the rules with enough votes. I was threatened with eviction proceedings when I refused to get rid of my dog when they added a no pets clause. I ended up selling instead of dealing with whiney neurotic tenants. Just a small observation from a former co-op owner.
Not buying, just looking to rent. The place isnt in park slope, its actually in the greenpoint area. Its around 3K for a 2BDR. Its pricey, but the building is new, new appliances, duplex, 2 bath, parking and close to train. We'll see...
Before you sign the lease ask the management what utilities are included, you have a right to know as a tenant prior to signing. They should answer this without giving you any problem. From there you can ask about other things. If they don't want to answer then it sounds like they are trying to screw around.
Typically in NYC for rental apartments the heat and hw are included in the rent and you do not have to pay separately for them. I have seen some units that pay their own heat, but that is rare and like Howie said. If it's a condo building that decided to rent out the units you could have a situation like that. There are some straight rental buildings that have the tenant paying for heat but they are very rare and have to fall into lower rent guidelines since heat is no longer calculated into the rent. Check here for rent guidelines showing lower rate for "heat provided by tenant" http://www.housingnyc.com/downloads/guidelines/orders/AptES40.pdf
But those guidelines are for rent stabilized units, since you say your apartment was for sale they are renting at free market rent. They can charge you whatever they like and have more flexibility with rules. I suggest you carefully read your lease and question anything you don't understand. Ask them to clarify or have an attorney read it over.
Some things you should look at in that lease are your right to vacate, their right to request you to vacate, and the rent terms/ escalation. Typically either party can initiate vacate with 30 days written notice. If you got any other questions PM me and I'll try to help the best I can.
Jake
Property Manager [thumbsup]
Quote from: CDawg on October 09, 2008, 10:01:31 AM
In all the apartments I've lived in I have never had to pay water or heating bills.
[edit]
This has changed a little. It's 45f at night for the temp to provide heat. I never run off of these.
We do 9a-10p 58f means 70f in the apt and 10p-9a 45f means 70f in the apt. Cozy people complain less ;D
This is NOT the time to buy. Prices will continue to drop and brokers are getting flooded with REO's. Wait and watch the prices drop more. Get a broker who has REO's and you will find deals.
REO's are bank owned property. Essentially this is the short version: Owner defaults on mortgage, bank forecloses, property doesn't sell at foreclosure, bank takes ownership and property becomes REO (Real Estate Owned), sells for cheaper because the bank does not want to own property they pay tax and other bills on while it earns nothing.
Quote from: jmoses on October 10, 2008, 10:53:30 AM
Not buying, just looking to rent. The place isnt in park slope, its actually in the greenpoint area. Its around 3K for a 2BDR. Its pricey, but the building is new, new appliances, duplex, 2 bath, parking and close to train. We'll see...
Don't be afraid to walk away if it doesn't feel right to you. There are Brokers on this board, I think Nice Guy Beck is one. I also know some you can call if you want to continue to search. Goodluck.