Author Archives: abogny

Spending on new apartment construction, alteration, and renovation in New York City is projected to decline to $11.6 billion in 2018 from $16 billion in 2016 and continue to drop, according to the Building Congress. The State Division of Housing … Continue reading →

More evening hours and advice to tenants on free legal counsel on notices of petition are among the Housing Court reforms endorsed by NYS Chief Judge Janet DiFiore in her State of the Judiciary speech this week, echoing the recommendations … Continue reading →

Another dozen new laws approved by the New York City Council in December were either signed by the Mayor or enacted by default this week, including provisions to Add requests for proof of citizenship status to the definition of harassment, … Continue reading →

DHCR’s latest Operational Bulletin 2017-1, Major Capital Improvements, Confirmation of Costs, indicates that multiple forms of proof of payment will now be required with all MCI applications, and large cash payments will have to be supported by bank withdrawal records. … Continue reading →

Corey Johnson, elected Wednesday  as the new Speaker of the New York City Council, wants to staff up the Council’s Land Use Division so that instead of members simply vetoing projects in their neighborhoods, the Council can wheel and deal. … Continue reading →

The year couldn’t end without another New York City Housing Authority lead-paint scandal. The Daily News reported last week that NYCHA placed families in apartments with known lead paint, abated by uncertified workers, without any of the required disclosure notices. Private property owners … Continue reading →

Building owners, managers, and developers were slammed with new requirements on everything from mold to energy to construction noise as the New York City Council wrapped up its term, Tuesday, passing almost 40 new laws. If signed by the Mayor, … Continue reading →

Sleep with dogs, wake up with fleas. Or, rent to the City of New York and have your property condemned. Mayor de Blasio last week announced he would use eminent domain to take buildings with large numbers of homeless families placed in … Continue reading →

City Council Member Margaret Chin and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer are seeking a rapid zoning change to retroactively block an approved development on the Lower East Side. In another chilling blow to as-of-right development, the pols are using a … Continue reading →

Be prepared to be publicly shamed on a “speculation watch list” if you buy a building with high leverage to fix it up under legislation passed by the New York City Council Thursday. Buying a building with large numbers of … Continue reading →