Author Archives: abogny

Sanitation violations increased from 368,577 in fiscal 2014 to 417,252 in the first eleven months of fiscal 2016, according to an analysis in the NY Post. The Mayor’s Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning program faces another test, Monday, when the planning commission … Continue reading →

Gowanus is now on the City’s radar for higher density residential zoning. Planning meetings begin this month, but property prices may already be moving up. You think your plumber is expensive? While the City promotes prevailing wages on affordable housing, … Continue reading →

New Building Permits were issued for only about 5400 residential units in the first half of 2016, down 87% from last year, according to a report issued yesterday by the NY Building Congress. The rush to beat the 421a expiration … Continue reading →

Before leaving for Italy on vacation, Mayor de Blasio signed an executive order requiring that any project over 100,000 sq. ft. or 100 residential units receiving City financial assistance accept a “labor peace agreement” covering any retail and food service … Continue reading →

The City Council, yesterday, gave final approval to a new Energy Code, which will be effective October 3rd. The U.S. Senate last night approved H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act, already approved by the House, which makes several … Continue reading →

The Rent Stabilization Association, yesterday, brought the first of what could be several suits against the rent freeze voted last month by the New York City Rent Guidelines Board. Rent freezes were also adopted in Rockland County, which approved 0% … Continue reading →

The City Council, Tuesday, voted to create a new  private right of action against property owners for harassment of commercial tenants, citing lockouts, threats of force, and failure to provide “essential services” — defined as any services required to be … Continue reading →

The real property tax levy will go up 4.8% in fiscal 2017 under the City budget approved this week. Mayor de Blasio announced yesterday that the former owner of a six-unit Bronx building had been arrested and jailed for failing … Continue reading →

The Landmarks Preservation Commission will only have one year to make up its mind on whether to designate newly proposed landmark buildings or historic districts under a bill approved by the City Council, Wednesday, and awaiting the Mayor’s signature. The … Continue reading →

Three Manhattan apartment buildings  paying property taxes of $29,914 to $38,889 per apartment per year are…average. The tax bills work out to just over 30% of rents, which is normal for New York City and about six times other major … Continue reading →