Stuy Town Residents Defy Threatening Landlord

Is that for real?! Maybe TS is putting luxury garden benches out for people to sit on and enjoy the view. Expect an MCI for this one.

I live in a building that is vastly r.s. residents and it seems, sadly enough, that there are U-Haul trucks outside my building every weekend. I'm gonna miss them (if I'm around here long enough). The building is so quiet you could hear a pindrop (only afer the dormers next door moved out) and I enjoy holding the door for the cane-wielding man down the hall and the elderly man who's 'been here 40 years.'
I can only imagine the "freakin' sweet keggers, man" that will replace the tranquility on my terrace.
Way to rock the gestalt, TS.

The Senior Lounge's new Outdoor Center is the "happening hangout" for ladies and gents enjoying their golden years, and it scores big points with these marvelous new sofas! Recreational activities include bingo, bid whist, cheese rolling, dance classes, a glee club, and day trips to Gristedes. Coming soon: bog snorkelling championships on the Oval!

I'm really confused as to why this is suddenly a problem. People have been moving out more often since TS took over this ship. How come two years later it's suddenly an issue?

The old procedure was to leave it downstairs in the recycle area and the porters would drag it off some place until trash day when they would put it on the curb.

The new procedure is to call management, make an appointment to have the porters drag it off some place until trash day when they would put it on the curb.

The only difference is TS makes more money off of the unwanted furniture. Why did the porters stop "hiding it" until trash day now making this a problem? Were they instructed to do so?

This from: http://www.tenant.net/DHCR_info/Policy_Statements/ps89-01.html

New York State
Division of Housing and Community Renewal
Office of Rent Administration
Gertz Plaza, 92-31 Union Hall St.
Jamaica, New York 11433
Public Information: (718)739-6400

POLICY STATEMENT 89-1
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SERVICES;
RENT REDUCTION/RESTORATION

This policy statement is being issued to clarify DHCR's policies with respect to maintenance of services, for rent stabilized buildings or accommodations in New York City.

RENT REDUCTION

Section 26-514 of the Rent Stabilization Law, as amended by Chapter 403, Laws of 1983 (Omnibus Housing Act) provides, in pertinent part, as follows:

In addition to any other remedy afforded by law, any tenant may apply to the state division of housing and community renewal, for a reduction in the rent to the level in effect prior to its most recent adjustment and for an order requiring services to be maintained as provided in this section, and the Commissioner
shall so reduce the rent if it is found that the owner has failed to maintain such services...

A substantially similar provision is contained in Section 2523.4 The Rent Stabilization Code and it applies to all rent stabilized units including stabilized hotels.

Essentially, a "required service" is one that was furnished on the base date or one required to be furnished by any state law or local law, ordinance or regulation applicable to the premises.

These required services may include but are not limited to, repairs, decorating and maintenance, the furnishing of light, heat, hot and cold water, elevator services, janitorial services, and the removal of refuse.

=====================================================

ST/PCV has provided the service of removal of bulk items for free since Stabilization went into effect. If a Rent Stabilized tenant is now charged a fee to remove bulk items, they should file for a Rent Reduction as a "Failure to Maintain Services" with the DHCR.

This new "policy" is obviously aimed at their constantly churning market rate residents, especially the dorm residents who seem to simply throw out all their furniture instead of moving it. They can charge a fee to those residents, but not to RS tenants.