New York City’s City Council recently passed the FARE Act, meaning tenants are no longer responsible for paying broker fees. Instead, that cost will now be passed on to landlords or management companies and most tenants will no longer have to foot the bill. Let’s take a closer look at what that means for you. […]
The role of brokers in New York City is changing quickly – and while many argue these changes will benefit New Yorkers, it’s still vital to be a smart consumer. We’ve already discussed what the City Council’s recent passage of the FARE Act means for renters (an end to footing the bill for broker’s fees […]
As much as 30% of the pipes delivering water to New Yorkers may be made of lead, reported Gothamist this week. And while those odds may be in your favor, it’s certainly more comforting to know for sure whether your building’s pipes are affected. Fortunately, you have a few tools at your disposal. You can […]
It’s Heat Season in New York City! And while you may not have had to break out the extra warm gear just yet, your building is still obligated to follow the law. If outdoor temps drop below 55 degrees between 6 AM and 10 PM, the heat must be on, and your apartment should be […]
Conducting proper due diligence is a critical step in the New York City real estate buying process. It comes as the final step before the signing of the contract of sale and typically lasts 5-7 business days. Your buyer’s agent has advised you on the type of property, layout, and even some basic flaws. We […]
If you’re a responsible renter who does a reasonable job with the cleaning and upkeep of your place, getting your security deposit back after move-out day shouldn’t be difficult. Countless New Yorkers can attest, though, that the deposit battle between landlord and tenant can be a fruitless time-suck that feels weighted in favor of the […]
Look, obviously, we’re a bit biased. As an ethics-driven, woman-owned, small business that’s managed to survive in the hypercompetitive New York City real estate market for two decades, urging buyers and sellers to take a chance on a small business is a no-brainer. But you might be surprised by how much sense it makes from […]
The phrase “scam-based economy” seems to be popping up more frequently in online discourse — and it’s no wonder. Over the past few decades, scamming has become both easier and more lucrative for unscrupulous types given the relative anonymity of the internet. And when scammy internet-driven activity meets the decadent and sometimes shady world of […]
Your landlord is responsible for keeping your home and building safe and livable at all times. This is called the “Warranty of Habitability.” Having a record of notifying your landlord makes for a stronger legal case. If your landlord has already been unresponsive to your requests to make repairs, a letter is a great tactic […]
As a shareholder in a co-op building (especially if you’re an owner serving on the co-op board), it’s important you know about HDP violations. New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development issues these violations for infractions ranging from leaky refrigerators to heating system failure. And the enforcement of these quality of life laws […]
