NYC Tenant Research for NYC Tenant Research for LibrariansLibrarians

Melissa GasparottoMelissa GasparottoRadical Reference SkillshareRadical Reference Skillshare

October 14, 2007October 14, 2007ABC No RioABC No Rio

Housing Questions Are Often Housing Questions Are Often Prompted by EmergenciesPrompted by Emergencies

Housing is an emotional issue. By the time a patron comes to Housing is an emotional issue. By the time a patron comes to you for assistance, s/he may be facing the threat of you for assistance, s/he may be facing the threat of unaffordable rent increases, harassment, eviction, etc. unaffordable rent increases, harassment, eviction, etc.

Patrons will repeatedly ask for legal advice. Since librarians Patrons will repeatedly ask for legal advice. Since librarians cannot do this, knowing how to refer patrons to appropriate cannot do this, knowing how to refer patrons to appropriate organizations and/or government agencies is paramount.organizations and/or government agencies is paramount.

It’s important to get the referral right the first time. Tenants in It’s important to get the referral right the first time. Tenants in vulnerable positions can easily slip through administrative vulnerable positions can easily slip through administrative cracks when passed from one agency/organization to another. cracks when passed from one agency/organization to another.

Like all other reference questions, the patron may not Like all other reference questions, the patron may not adequately state the problem right away. This can result in adequately state the problem right away. This can result in hours spent on wild goose chases. hours spent on wild goose chases.

Sample Patron QuestionsSample Patron Questions

Are there any violations on my building?Are there any violations on my building? What is my status as a tenant? (Rent stabilized/Rent What is my status as a tenant? (Rent stabilized/Rent

controlled?)controlled?) Who owns my building?Who owns my building? Is my apartment legal? (ex. basement apt., no window Is my apartment legal? (ex. basement apt., no window

in kitchen, etc.)in kitchen, etc.) Is my rent legal? (Is it registered?)Is my rent legal? (Is it registered?) How do I apply for DRIE/SCRIE?How do I apply for DRIE/SCRIE? How do I find affordable housing?How do I find affordable housing?

Sample Patron Questions, cont.Sample Patron Questions, cont.

How do we form a tenant’s association?How do we form a tenant’s association? What is the proper process to follow before What is the proper process to follow before

going on rent strike?going on rent strike? How do I report a negligent absentee landlord?How do I report a negligent absentee landlord? What is the history of my building?What is the history of my building? Does my building have a J-51 tax abatement? Does my building have a J-51 tax abatement?

What does this have to do with my status as a What does this have to do with my status as a rent stabilized tenant?rent stabilized tenant?

Can I deny my landlord entry to my unit?Can I deny my landlord entry to my unit?

Sample Patron Questions, cont.Sample Patron Questions, cont.

How do I apply for Section 8?How do I apply for Section 8? My landlord added something called a Major My landlord added something called a Major

Capital Improvement increase to my rent. Capital Improvement increase to my rent. What the %#*! What the %#*! isis that, and is it legal? that, and is it legal?

My apartment has peeling lead paint—how do My apartment has peeling lead paint—how do I get my landlord to remove the hazard?I get my landlord to remove the hazard?

I am a rent stabilized/ rent controlled tenant in I am a rent stabilized/ rent controlled tenant in a co-op. What are my rights?a co-op. What are my rights?

Public Information SourcesPublic Information Sources

Databases (Government, Non-profit, Databases (Government, Non-profit, Commercial)Commercial)

Fact sheets and other publications issued by Fact sheets and other publications issued by city agencies, boards or advocacy city agencies, boards or advocacy organizationsorganizations

Print resources issued by commercial vendorsPrint resources issued by commercial vendors Administrative codeAdministrative code LawsLaws

The Problem is TOO MUCH The Problem is TOO MUCH informationinformation

Librarians should be aware of which agencies oversee Librarians should be aware of which agencies oversee which issues, in order to direct patrons to the which issues, in order to direct patrons to the appropriate database, code, etc.appropriate database, code, etc.

Agency data is not pooled in any meaningful way by Agency data is not pooled in any meaningful way by the city. Outside organizations and/or commercial the city. Outside organizations and/or commercial firms provide aggregating services. firms provide aggregating services.

Some aggregators are better than others. It’s a good Some aggregators are better than others. It’s a good idea to cross-reference all available sources.idea to cross-reference all available sources.

Public DatabasesPublic Databases

Department of Housing Preservation & Department of Housing Preservation & DevelopmentDevelopment HPD Building Info Database (HPD Building Info Database (

http://167.153.4.71/hpdonline/provide_address.asphttp://167.153.4.71/hpdonline/provide_address.aspxx))

Violations on a unit-by-unit basis, past and presentViolations on a unit-by-unit basis, past and present Owner name and mailing address, emergency contact Owner name and mailing address, emergency contact

information (property manager, etc.)information (property manager, etc.) Info on emergency repairs performed by the CityInfo on emergency repairs performed by the City Pending litigationPending litigation

Public Databases, cont.Public Databases, cont.

Department of BuildingsDepartment of Buildings Building Information System (Building Information System (

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/bsqpm01.jsphttp://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/bsqpm01.jsp)) Construction permits applied for and/or issuedConstruction permits applied for and/or issued Certificate(s) of occupancyCertificate(s) of occupancy DOB ViolationsDOB Violations Database of ongoing construction projects (new Database of ongoing construction projects (new

buildings, major alterations and full demolitions) by buildings, major alterations and full demolitions) by neighborhoodneighborhood

Public Databases, cont.Public Databases, cont.

Department of FinanceDepartment of Finance Automated City Register Information System—Automated City Register Information System—

ACRIS (ACRIS (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/jump/acris.shtmhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/jump/acris.shtmll))

Title historyTitle history Sales prices (erratic)Sales prices (erratic) Occasional lease, air rights transfer, miscellaneous Occasional lease, air rights transfer, miscellaneous

documentationdocumentation Scanned images of most documentsScanned images of most documents

Public Databases, cont.Public Databases, cont.

Department of FinanceDepartment of Finance Property Information System (Property Information System (

http://nycserv.nyc.gov/nycproperty/nynav/jsp/selectbbl.jsphttp://nycserv.nyc.gov/nycproperty/nynav/jsp/selectbbl.jsp)) Property tax rates, formulas, bills and payment historiesProperty tax rates, formulas, bills and payment histories

J-51 Benefits History DatabaseJ-51 Benefits History Database ((http://webapps.nyc.gov:8084/cics/cwba/dfhwbtta/abhqhttp://webapps.nyc.gov:8084/cics/cwba/dfhwbtta/abhq))

Loft BoardLoft Board (http://www.nyc.gov/html/loft/html/home/home.shtml) (http://www.nyc.gov/html/loft/html/home/home.shtml)

Database of lofts throughout the cityDatabase of lofts throughout the city

AggregatorsAggregators

OASIS NYCOASIS NYC Open Accessible Space Information System (Open Accessible Space Information System (

http://www.oasisnyc.net/oasismap.htmhttp://www.oasisnyc.net/oasismap.htm)) GIS mapping databaseGIS mapping database Includes property report with links to city agency Includes property report with links to city agency

databasesdatabases Map layers include land use data, parks and other open Map layers include land use data, parks and other open

space, environmental hazards, aerial photosspace, environmental hazards, aerial photos

Aggregators, cont.Aggregators, cont.

Center for New York City LawCenter for New York City Law CityAdmin (CityAdmin (http://http://www.citylaw.org/cityadmin.phpwww.citylaw.org/cityadmin.php))

Searchable library of decisions by city agencies, Searchable library of decisions by city agencies, including Loft Board and Board of Standards & Appealsincluding Loft Board and Board of Standards & Appeals

Property Shark Property Shark ((http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/) ) Commercial service, only portions of which are Commercial service, only portions of which are

free.free.

Fact Sheets, Calculators, etc. Fact Sheets, Calculators, etc.

Rent Guidelines BoardRent Guidelines Board ((http://www.housingnyc.com/index.htmlhttp://www.housingnyc.com/index.html))

Fact sheets, codes, laws, etc.Fact sheets, codes, laws, etc. Rent stabilized building list: (Rent stabilized building list: (

http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/zip.htmlhttp://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/zip.html)) Vacancy lease calculatorVacancy lease calculator Useful life schedule for Major Capital ImprovementsUseful life schedule for Major Capital Improvements

Fact Sheets, cont.Fact Sheets, cont.

Division of Housing and Community RenewalDivision of Housing and Community Renewal ((http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/) )

Administers rent control & stabilizationAdministers rent control & stabilization Nice glossary of rent regulation terms, with links to Nice glossary of rent regulation terms, with links to

appropriate fact sheets (appropriate fact sheets (http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ora/progs/oraprogs.htm#defhttp://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ora/progs/oraprogs.htm#definsins))

Forms for landlords and tenants organized by topic (Forms for landlords and tenants organized by topic (http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ora/infobytopic.htmhttp://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ora/infobytopic.htm) )

Fact Sheets, cont.Fact Sheets, cont.

New York State Attorney GeneralNew York State Attorney General (http://www.oag.state.ny.us/realestate/(http://www.oag.state.ny.us/realestate/

tenants_rights_guide.html)tenants_rights_guide.html) Tenant’s Rights GuideTenant’s Rights Guide

NYC Department of BuildingsNYC Department of Buildings (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/reference/(http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/reference/

code_internet.shtml) code_internet.shtml) Building CodeBuilding Code

Fact Sheets, cont.Fact Sheets, cont.

New York City Affordable Housing Resource New York City Affordable Housing Resource CenterCenter (http://www.nyc.gov/html/housinginfo/html/(http://www.nyc.gov/html/housinginfo/html/

home/home.shtml) home/home.shtml) Clearinghouse for information on finding affordable Clearinghouse for information on finding affordable

housing, finding legal assistance, applying for subsidies, housing, finding legal assistance, applying for subsidies, reporting maintenance problemsreporting maintenance problems

Fact Sheets, cont.Fact Sheets, cont.

City-Wide Task Force on Housing CourtCity-Wide Task Force on Housing Court (http://www.cwtfhc.org/factsheets.html)(http://www.cwtfhc.org/factsheets.html)

Housing Court Fact SheetsHousing Court Fact Sheets

Tenant.netTenant.net (http://www.tenant.net/) (http://www.tenant.net/)

Articles, fact sheets, summaries of select Housing Court Articles, fact sheets, summaries of select Housing Court decisions of interest, forumdecisions of interest, forum

Fact Sheets, cont.Fact Sheets, cont.

Met Council on HousingMet Council on Housing (http://www.metcouncil.net/factsheets/(http://www.metcouncil.net/factsheets/

factsheets.html) factsheets.html) Informational pamphlets on legal issues surrounding Informational pamphlets on legal issues surrounding

rent regulation, plus more general pamphlets for all rent regulation, plus more general pamphlets for all renters (bedbugs, credit reports, etc.)renters (bedbugs, credit reports, etc.)

Print ResourcesPrint Resources

New York Tenants’ RightsNew York Tenants’ Rights. Hellenborg, Mary Ann. . Hellenborg, Mary Ann. Berkeley, CA: NOLO, 2002. Berkeley, CA: NOLO, 2002. Plain-English legal info Plain-English legal info Available throughout NYPL, BPL and QPL branch Available throughout NYPL, BPL and QPL branch

librarieslibraries The New York Landlord’s Law BookThe New York Landlord’s Law Book. Hellenborg, . Hellenborg,

Mary Ann. Berkeley, CA: NOLO, 2003. Mary Ann. Berkeley, CA: NOLO, 2003. Available throughout NYPL, BPL and QPL branch Available throughout NYPL, BPL and QPL branch

librarieslibraries

Print Resources, cont.Print Resources, cont. New York Landlord & Tenant Handbook (Summary New York Landlord & Tenant Handbook (Summary

Proceedings)Proceedings). Charlottesville, VA: LexisNexis Gould . Charlottesville, VA: LexisNexis Gould Publications. Annual. Publications. Annual. Less accessible legal handbook. Contains copies of important Less accessible legal handbook. Contains copies of important

landlord/tenant forms.landlord/tenant forms. Available throughout NYPL and BPL branches, and at QPL Central Available throughout NYPL and BPL branches, and at QPL Central

LibraryLibrary New York Landlord and Tenant: Rent Control and Rent New York Landlord and Tenant: Rent Control and Rent

Stabilization,Stabilization, 2 2nd ed.nd ed. Rochester, NY: Lawyers Co-operative Pub. Rochester, NY: Lawyers Co-operative Pub. Co., 1987. Supplemented annually.Co., 1987. Supplemented annually. Contains all statutes and administrative material in one volume, plus Contains all statutes and administrative material in one volume, plus

supplement. supplement. Available at BPL Business LibraryAvailable at BPL Business Library

Print Resources, cont.Print Resources, cont.

New York Landlord v. TenantNew York Landlord v. Tenant. New York: . New York: Vendome Group, LLC. Monthly periodical. Vendome Group, LLC. Monthly periodical. Summaries of notable landlord/tenant disputes. Summaries of notable landlord/tenant disputes. Good way to keep up on current trends in DHCR Good way to keep up on current trends in DHCR

and Housing Court, DOB, ECB and HPD and Housing Court, DOB, ECB and HPD proceedings.proceedings.

Available at SIBL and BPL Business LibraryAvailable at SIBL and BPL Business Library

Emergency ReferralsEmergency Referrals

City-Wide Task Force on Housing CourtCity-Wide Task Force on Housing Court ((http://www.cwtfhc.org/index.htmlhttp://www.cwtfhc.org/index.html))

Telephone Hotline, Information tables at Housing CourtsTelephone Hotline, Information tables at Housing Courts

Legal Aid SocietyLegal Aid Society ((http://www.legal-aid.org/en/home.aspxhttp://www.legal-aid.org/en/home.aspx))

Provides legal assistance and representation at no costProvides legal assistance and representation at no cost Fights eviction, challenges rent increases and overcharges, Fights eviction, challenges rent increases and overcharges,

helps secure rent subsidies, and helps obtain repairs. helps secure rent subsidies, and helps obtain repairs.

Emergency Referrals, cont.Emergency Referrals, cont.

Legal Services for NYLegal Services for NY ((http://www.lsny.org/http://www.lsny.org/))

Represents tenants in nonpayment and eviction cases, Represents tenants in nonpayment and eviction cases, helps pursue rent overcharge claims and secure helps pursue rent overcharge claims and secure necessary repairs.necessary repairs.

MFY Legal Services, Inc.MFY Legal Services, Inc. ((http://www.mfy.org/index.htmlhttp://www.mfy.org/index.html) )

Provides free legal advice, counsel and representation to Provides free legal advice, counsel and representation to low-income New Yorkerslow-income New Yorkers

Emergency Referrals, cont.Emergency Referrals, cont.

Urban Justice CenterUrban Justice Center ((http://www.urbanjustice.org/ujc/index.htmlhttp://www.urbanjustice.org/ujc/index.html) )

Eviction prevention legal clinics Eviction prevention legal clinics

Miscellaneous LinksMiscellaneous Links

Who Represents Me? Who Represents Me? (http://www.cmap.nypirg.org/netmaps/(http://www.cmap.nypirg.org/netmaps/

MyGovernment/NYC/MyGovernmentNYC.asp)MyGovernment/NYC/MyGovernmentNYC.asp) Personal page of Stuart Lawrence, Housing Personal page of Stuart Lawrence, Housing

AttorneyAttorney (http://homepages.nyu.edu/~swl2/housing.html) (http://homepages.nyu.edu/~swl2/housing.html) Excellent collection of links relating to NYC Excellent collection of links relating to NYC

housing issueshousing issues