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Posted by chelsea on June 22, 2001 at 15:31:50:

In Reply to: flower boxes in window posted by Chloe Diane on June 22, 2001 at 13:15:28:

If they were actually sitting on or blocking access to a fire escape, that could be a fire code violation. I know of no other related part of the code that seems relevant.

If you want to keep them, just make sure that the boxes are well secured and are not causing any other problem, just as water dripping into the exterior walls. If the landlord gives you any more trouble, again ask politely what his concern is and what law he thinks you are violating. Seems unlikely he'd call the fire department or the building department but if he does, and they come and issue a violation, explain to them you didn't know it was illegal, which is true. You'll have time to correct it (actually it would be against the landlord, but you should comply if it really is illegal). The other thing I suppose he could do is seek to evict you, but it would be pretty ridiculous over window boxes. If there's nothing in the lease prohibiting window boxes, that's a big problem for the landlord. If he were to take you to court, again you would have time to correct.

If there's a block association or garden club or any group interested in beautifying the neighborhood, you may want to touch base with them.

So what are you growing? Best avoid opium poppies. :-)

: I put flower boxes in each of the 3 front windows of my rent stabilized, second floor apt in Harlem(properly anchored so they couldn't fall). I have been told by "management" they are "against the law" and are blocking the exit in case of a fire. They are not. I offered to arrange to have the fire dept inspect so we could determine whether or not it was okay. I was told "absolutely not." The building owner says there can be no flowers on the windowsill and it's illegal. Building owner won't talk to me. His minions cannot give me any legal references to check, such as a building code, etc. There is nothing in my lease that says this is prohibited. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? Are they lying, or is this the truth? Would appreciate any info you can give me.

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Comments:
: If they were actually sitting on or blocking access to a fire escape, that could be a fire code violation. I know of no other related part of the code that seems relevant.

: If you want to keep them, just make sure that the boxes are well secured and are not causing any other problem, just as water dripping into the exterior walls.   If the landlord gives you any more trouble, again ask politely what his concern is and what law he thinks you are violating.  Seems unlikely he'd call the fire department or the building department but if he does, and they come and issue a violation, explain to them you didn't know it was illegal, which is true.  You'll have time to correct it (actually it would be against the landlord, but you should comply if it really is illegal).   The other thing I suppose he could do is seek to evict you, but it would be pretty ridiculous over window boxes. If there's nothing in the lease prohibiting window boxes, that's a big problem for the landlord. If he were to take you to court, again you would have time to correct.

: If there's a block association or garden club or any group interested in beautifying the neighborhood, you may want to touch base with them.

: So what are you growing?  Best avoid opium poppies.  :-)


: 
: : I put flower boxes in each of the 3 front windows of my rent stabilized, second floor apt in Harlem(properly anchored so they couldn't fall).  I have been told by "management" they are "against the law" and are blocking the exit in case of a fire.  They are not.  I offered to arrange to have the fire dept inspect so we could determine whether or not it was okay.  I was told "absolutely not."  The building owner says there can be no flowers on the windowsill and it's illegal.  Building owner won't talk to me.  His minions cannot give me any legal references to check, such as a building code, etc.  There is nothing in my lease that says this is prohibited.  Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?  Are they lying, or is this the truth?  Would appreciate any info you can give me.


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