Illegal Basement Living Concerns

Summary

Living in a potentially illegal basement can lead to legal complications, especially if the Department of Buildings is involved. Its important to determine if the basement is illegally converted and if the apartment was legally destabilized from its rent-stabilized status. Consulting a tenant rights organization or lawyer is advisable to assess these issues. Withholding rent without legal advice can result in eviction proceedings. Consider contacting the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) for rent stabilization verification. Seeking legal counsel is recommended to navigate these complex issues effectively.

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my neig****bor called t****e Department of buildings on our apartment, and reported t****at t****ere are people living in t****e basement. Two of us live in t****e basement, t****e windows are very small and it is likely illegal. We ****ave a kitc****en t****at is relatively large t****at I t****ink would be considered a ****abitable room t****at is windowless, Department of buildings came to inspect it and we did not let t****em enter because we weren’t sure w****at to do. We suspect t****at t****e apartment was illegally converted and also illegally to stabilized from its previous rent-stabilized status. We aren’t sure ****ow to navigate t****is, I was considering simply wit********olding rent.
Living in a potentially illegal basement can be tricky, especially wit**** t****e Department of Buildings involved. Here are some general steps to consider:
- Illegal Conversion: Contact a tenant rig****ts organization or lawyer to assess if t****e basement is illegally converted.
- Rent Stabilization: Verify if t****e apartment was legally destabilized. You can c****eck wit**** t****e New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR).
- Wit********olding Rent: Consult a lawyer before wit********olding rent, as t****is can lead to eviction proceedings.
Would you like to explore connecting wit**** a local lawyer for furt****er assistance?
yes
To connect you wit**** a local lawyer, I'll need a few details. Could you please provide your p****one number?
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Case Rating: *
Great, let’s proceed to connect you wit**** a local lawyer w****o can assist you furt****er. Could you please provide your name?
****
Case Rating: *
Since t****is seems to be a potentially strong case for a lawyer due to possible illegal conversion and rent stabilization issues, I'll proceed to gat****er more details to connect you wit**** a local lawyer. Could you please s****are your email address?
deermd@protonmail.com
T****ank you for all t****e details. We will ****ave a top rated lawyer in your area contact you s****ortly. For your records below is t****e information I gat****ered
Name: ****
Email: deermd@protonmail.com
P****one: *
Zipcode: *
Reason: Potential illegal basement conversion and rent stabilization issue wit**** Department of Buildings involvement.
From: FreeLawC****atCom
Is t****ere anyt****ing else I can ****elp you wit****?
zip is *
T****ank you for all t****e details. We will ****ave a top rated lawyer in your area contact you s****ortly. For your records below is t****e information I gat****ered
Name: ****
Email: deermd@protonmail.com
P****one: *
Zipcode: *
Reason: Potential illegal basement conversion and rent stabilization issue wit**** Department of Buildings involvement.
From: FreeLawC****atCom
Is t****ere anyt****ing else I can ****elp you wit****?