health & safety

Fire escape on brick apartment building in NYC

… It shouldnt take hearing about a devastating fire to prompt … you to check safety measures in your own New York City apartment building but thats often what spurs people to act … guide You can also request to have a smoke alarm installed in your apartment for free through a partnership …

By Brick Underground |October 8, 2025 - 9:30AM

faucet with hand of woman in kitchen for cleaning, drinking and washing dishes. Interior, steel and household plumbing with sink and tap at home for stream, flowing and splash

Troubleshooting

I used NYC’s free program to test my apartment’s drinking water for lead. Here’s how you can too

By Celia Young |March 5, 2025 - 3:30PM

Flowering pink-purpleish tree in front of Park Slope Brownstones

Products + Test-drives

5 ways to allergy-proof your NYC apartment

By Celia Young |April 29, 2024 - 12:30PM

In New York City, United States this older residential building viewed from the High Line has old fashioned fire escapes visible on its exterior.

Troubleshooting

How can I check if my NYC apartment building is fire-code compliant?

By Celia Young |March 6, 2024 - 11:34AM

Exterior view of old New York City style architecture apartment building with windows and fire escapes

Roommates + Landlords

Most NYC residential buildings must install natural gas detectors by 2025

By Celia Young |February 26, 2024 - 10:40AM

Troubleshooting

How can I make a neighboring building owner take down scaffolding that's been up for years?

… is done you can file a complaint with the city or consider legal action our experts say Sidewalk shedsstructures with … has become a hub for drug dealers and crime What legal steps can be taken to force the building owner to either complete the work or remove the scaffolding … Live … Troubleshooting … Ask an Expert … construction … …

By Celia Young |January 16, 2024 - 5:30PM