Virginia K. Smith

I just had an interview for an affordable unit in a building in my neighborhood. It went very well and they're now asking for documents showing my income and contacting my employer to verify. The only potential issue is that I'm a tipped employee in a seasonal position, so my income isn't fixed. That said, I've been at the same job for four years. Will this be a problem, and is there anything I can do?

Like hardwood floors and washer-dryers, exposed brick walls are one of the most coveted (and classic) apartment features in New York City.

Q: I live in a co-op building, and my upstairs neighbors have been renting for the past three years. My understanding is that they have 80 percent of the floors covered with rugs, but only in the bedrooms. They have three young children who run around and make a lot of noise. Can I legally force them to install wall-to-wall carpeting? And does the "80 percent rule" for carpeting include every room in the apartment, i.e. living room, kitchen, bathrooms, as well, or just the bedrooms and common areas?

Moving from one apartment to another in NYC comes with lots of expenses that you may not plan on—here's how to identify and budget for them.