Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Yeah I just want to clarify.....it's one thing if you have people bringing down the neighborhood because of their behavior.

It's quite another when you have others trying to do the right thing but it's hard to make ends meet otherwise.

I know if DH or I weren't able to work we would be up $hits creek.

And as it is, we feel like we are just getting by here.

We also had an opportunity to live with ILs but it would not be healthy emotionally.

But my ILs have done this with their parents before they passed on.

Sometimes I feel like people have way too much time on their hands scrutinizing their neighbors. I'm not talking about this thread per se, but just an observation I've noticed on here lately in general.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

I know its not right to not be legal but its all a money maker.
The town wants you to get a permit because they make money. Its pathetic how little you can do on the house you are paying for without the town having something to say about it

My parents are currently in a bad situation.
The house they purchased was purchased as a mother- daughter. They believed it was legal. Nothing came up at purchase that it wasnt (over 13 hrs ago) My dads mom lived there til her passing, then my moms mom and now til recently a family member. 1 -60 yr old woman.

Someone complained. She never bothered anyone. Parked in front of my parents house only. This person complained about several apts on our block. Screwed a lot of people. My parents are now facing a very large fine. And legal fees. The family member was forced to leave and now they possibly want my Parents to gut the entire kitchen. My oarebts will most likely be moving obce this is all straightened out.

Eta: calling someone in may not just mean no one can live there any longer. The people nay no longer be able to afford to live there, could be charged fines up to $10,000, pay legal fees lose time from work to deal with the legalalities, may have to spend money to renovate to remove the apt etc.. It could really screw someone up.

Message edited 4/19/2014 2:08:45 PM.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

There has to be a busybody on every block. Unless it's disruptive to you personally, live and let live. Even if it were disruptive to me personally, I would still find other ways to handle it without ratting my neighbors out. After all, I have to live next door to these people. You don't know their situation. If the tables were turned and your neighbors snitched on you in retaliation, are you sure YOUR house would be 100% up to code?? You might not even be aware of it.

It may be an unwritten courtesy not to park in front of someone else's house, but it's not a law. When you purchase a house you don't purchase the street in front of it and anyone has the right to park there legally. People come on these boards daily complaining about other people's sense of entitlement. Complaining about someone parking in front of your house is the very definition of entitlement. (this isn't directed at OP, but being bothered by the tenants' "parking all over the place" brings up the post about parking in front of your house the other day.)

I really believe the world would be a better place if people would just mind their own business and worry about themselves instead of being all up in everyone else's business. I also believe that's the secret to a long life. Just ask any Sicilian

Illegal apartment rentals.

What people are not getting is she said the parking is one of many things. I'm sorry I would not sit back and let things go. If it was just the parking then probably but I did not sit back when neighbors were selling drugs. I'm sorry when it comes to the safety of my family then I'm speaking up and no I'm not going to the LL cause what would they really do. They want the cash.

People but houses they cannot afford and get tenants. They never should have bought a house they cannot afford so I have zero sympathy. And those that financial situations change should look to downsize first.

Plain and simple I have zero sympathy when you do it the illegal way. Legal apts in house I am perfectly fine with.

Illegal apartment rentals.

My family members rent out an apt in their house to a divorced professional gentleman.
They would not be able to afford to stay in the house if they didn't.
IMO, as long as everyone is behaving, it's their business.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Illegal apartment rentals.

I don't know the percentage off hand (and I'm sure no one can nail down an exact number due it usually being kept a secret) but there is a high number of illegal apts on LI. It's par for the course of lack of affordable housing for both homeowners and renters. Even complexes are quite high. Some older people rent out spaces to help pay their taxes as they are on a fixed income and while their house is paid off, their taxes still remain. Not saying it's right but I get why.

No one really wants to rent out their home or a part of it - most are not doing it to make extra - it's to make ends meet. And most don't want to rent here on Li - they rather have a nice home one day and rent reasonably and save for their home down the line. This is what I have found to be true from those I know who rent out and those who rent.

I don't mind - only unless it impacts my day to day life. And even then it would have to be a huge burden for me to want to do something about it. Any issues may easily be resolved by asking a simple request of your neighbors instead of first running to report them. And I believe that to be true for most neighbor issues - dogs barking, parking wars, etc. A little communication can do wonders. If not... Then I would proceed to the next step.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

But aren't the laws and zoning restrictions there, at least in part, because the streets, sewage, water, etc. only have the capacity to sustain so many people per block?

And if everyone did what some people do illegally, (multiple families in each house) it just wouldn't be a livable situation?

Isn't that the point?

Everyone thinks they'll be the only one, but you have to assume everyone will do whatever's not prohibited/enforced.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Even though this situation could technically be called my business, I would choose not to make it mine. Not harming me, Im not harming them. I wont bother them for an inconvenience either. I just wouldnt report and neighbor unless it was MAJOR. Just not my thing.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

I am surprised by how many people said to ignore something illegal and just look the other way to keep the peace. If your neighbor was dealing drugs from their basement would you feel the same way? A lot of the same arguments could apply (they need the money, arguably not hurting anyone etc, would put the person in legal trouble if it was prosecuted, etc). I do personally think dealing drugs from your house is more of a "menace" to the neighborhood than an illegal apartment but both are illegal and "they needed the money" doesn't really cut it for me

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

The majority of apartments on LI are illegal, it's just how it is around here. I feel like it's so common I don't even bat an eye when I see a house with lots of cars.

With the cost of living here and the price of houses it's no surprise there are so many rentals on the island. Living in a basement apartment or something similar is probably the only way some people can afford to live on LI.

It is what it is. I would just leave it alone.


ETA - I understand it's illegal and I'm not saying it's right, I'm just making the point illegal apts are EXTREMELY common on LI. If the towns cared enough about it they would crack down but they don't because it would probably leave a ton of people without a home AND it will cost a lot of tax money to eliminate the problem. So the town turns a blind eye.

Message edited 4/20/2014 9:12:26 AM.

Illegal apartment rentals.

I think that while some illegal apartments may be harmless, they can be dangerous especially if they are subdivided. This is a big problem in the city and it led to the deaths of several firefighters.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Posted by MC09

There has to be a busybody on every block. Unless it's disruptive to you personally, live and let live. Even if it were disruptive to me personally, I would still find other ways to handle it without ratting my neighbors out. After all, I have to live next door to these people. You don't know their situation. If the tables were turned and your neighbors snitched on you in retaliation, are you sure YOUR house would be 100% up to code?? You might not even be aware of it.

It may be an unwritten courtesy not to park in front of someone else's house, but it's not a law. When you purchase a house you don't purchase the street in front of it and anyone has the right to park there legally. People come on these boards daily complaining about other people's sense of entitlement. Complaining about someone parking in front of your house is the very definition of entitlement. (this isn't directed at OP, but being bothered by the tenants' "parking all over the place" brings up the post about parking in front of your house the other day.)

I really believe the world would be a better place if people would just mind their own business and worry about themselves instead of being all up in everyone else's business. I also believe that's the secret to a long life. Just ask any Sicilian

Illegal apartment rentals.

I am only trying to understand.
People keep mentioning the extra taxes for a rental apartment. What extra taxes are there? If the reference is to additional services needed for the home (ie trash removal) what is the difference between a home with parents and 1 adult child vs. a home with a couple and 1 renter. The services needed by the town would be the same. You don't pay property taxes based on the # of people living in the home. The number of cars would be the same.

I do understand the safety issue presented with overcrowded homes but it doesn't have to be an illegal rental to be overcrowded.

I think that on Long Island there tends to be a negative stigma associated with renting in general - regardless of if you are renter or landlord and legal or illegal.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.

If a house is a multi-family dwelling, it pays property taxes based on a different tax rate. It will pay based on a commercial or non-homestead rate, which is higher.

I don't care if someone wants to rent out an apartment in their house on my block. I do, however, care if they do not have a permit to do so. We don't get to pick and choose what rules we follow.

Re: Illegal apartment rentals.