safety

An image of the top of a brick New York City apartment building, including its parapet.

Parapet inspections: What NYC boards and building owners need to know about Local Law 126

By Celia Young |May 2, 2025 - 9:30AM

Signs that a NYC basement apartment is a safe and legal rental

… to bring more of these units up to code and make them safe for living Bringing more basement apartments up to code is … apartment is legal And you can read more on how to avoid renting an illegal apartment and the pros and cons of … DOB requirements for a legal dwelling … Other telltale signs … If you have to access your apartment through a …

By Jennifer White Karp |March 10, 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

Broken sidewalk along Eighth Avenue in Brooklyn

Troubleshooting

Who is responsible for repairing a NYC sidewalk damaged by tree roots?

By Jennifer White Karp |May 13, 2024 - 2:00PM

Troubleshooting

Do New Yorkers need earthquake insurance?

By Jennifer White Karp |April 15, 2024 - 3:45PM

glass partition separate living space and entrance hall in new renovated apartment. glass door in empty room with modern interior. concept of apartment with smart solution for space organization

The Search

Isn't there supposed to be a real bedroom window in my NYC apartment?

… … In short No Under New York Citys Housing Maintenance Code apartment bedrooms are required to have windows that open to the … and contain at least one operable window of at least 12 square feet or a skylight in certain cases There are …

By Celia Young |April 10, 2024 - 4:45PM