TenantNet Forum

Where tenants can seek help and help others



Moving in before state inspection

Moderator: TenantNet

Moving in before state inspection

Postby flyingostrich » Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:54 pm

I am preparing to move in to a newly remodeled apartment. I paid a deposit back in June. The unit was supposed to be ready July 1, and the builder (who also owns the property) has repeatedly extended the deadline for various reasons.

I am running out of alternative housing options and recently stopped by the property and can see that it is done being remodeled. The landlord gave me access to a temporary master key so I could get in and out to store my belongings there. Now he is telling me that I can sign a lease, but that the state inspectors still need to come and approve the property.

I get the sense that he doesn't mind if I stay there, but he can't give me an "all clear" without the state paperwork completed.

My question is: can he get in trouble if the state inspectors discover that I'm already residing in the unit? Like, if they see that I have my bed set up or that there are disches in the cupboards—is that against the law, or is the inspection just a formality for liability and insurance etc.?
flyingostrich
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:46 pm

Re: Moving in before state inspection

Postby TenantNet » Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:24 pm

We've never heard of apartments being inspected by the state ... any state. While this could be the case in your location or the type of apartment it is, but I would laugh myself silly if my LL said something like that in NYC.
The Tenant Network(tm) for Residential Tenants
Information from TenantNet is from experienced non-attorney tenant
activists and is not considered legal advice.

Subscribe to our Twitter Feed @TenantNet
TenantNet
 
Posts: 10299
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2002 2:01 am
Location: New York City

Re: Moving in before state inspection

Postby flyingostrich » Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:43 pm

Good to know! I suspected as much.
flyingostrich
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:46 pm

Re: Moving in before state inspection

Postby BubbaJoe123 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:23 am

When you say "newly remodeled," is this a "apartment's getting new cabinets and floors," or "old factory building is being converted to apartments" situation? If the latter, then the building might not have a valid certificate of occupancy until the renovations are done.
BubbaJoe123
 
Posts: 268
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:31 pm

Re: Moving in before state inspection

Postby TenantNet » Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:58 pm

Bubba, a CofO depends on a change of use (i.e, from manufacturing to residential), not new floors or cabinets being installed. And as I'm sure you know, a CofO is a creature of NYC law, not "state inspectors." And even with that, not all CofO changes get inspectors from NYC DOB.

I happen to know this poster is not in NYS.
The Tenant Network(tm) for Residential Tenants
Information from TenantNet is from experienced non-attorney tenant
activists and is not considered legal advice.

Subscribe to our Twitter Feed @TenantNet
TenantNet
 
Posts: 10299
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2002 2:01 am
Location: New York City

Re: Moving in before state inspection

Postby BubbaJoe123 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 6:54 pm

TenantNet wrote:Bubba, a CofO depends on a change of use (i.e, from manufacturing to residential), not new floors or cabinets being installed.


Which is exactly why I asked if this was an "old factory building is being converted to apartments" situation.

TenantNet wrote:And as I'm sure you know, a CofO is a creature of NYC law, not "state inspectors." And even with that, not all CofO changes get inspectors from NYC DOB. I happen to know this poster is not in NYS.


Not clear what your point is here. CofOs aren't just an NYC thing, they exist across the country.
BubbaJoe123
 
Posts: 268
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:31 pm

Re: Moving in before state inspection

Postby TenantNet » Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:50 pm

The point is that you're reading things into the post that don't exist, or which the poster did not suggest.
The Tenant Network(tm) for Residential Tenants
Information from TenantNet is from experienced non-attorney tenant
activists and is not considered legal advice.

Subscribe to our Twitter Feed @TenantNet
TenantNet
 
Posts: 10299
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2002 2:01 am
Location: New York City


Return to General Discussion - beyond New York

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests