Freezing in the winter
Pros
small brownstone building with generally kind neighbors
Cons
Landlord refused to turn the heat on above 65 degrees in the winter (illegal) and was extremely rude when tenants complained about the lack of heat.
Advice to the owners
Treat tenants with respect and follow the law
Neglected to hear apartment
Pros
Small building in a nice location
Cons
Owner controls the heat and would not turn it on in October (illegal, the temp was in the 30s) and once on, wouldn’t turn heat higher despite apartments being below the legal minimum. Reasoning given was to “combat climate change” despite tenants asking for a few degrees higher so that apartments were above 68 in the winter. The owners will claim that it’s difficult to hear an old building, but they proved they were capable of heating the apartment adequately after 311 was called. They also run an illegal Airbnb business out of the ground level apartment.
Advice to the owners
If tenants have issues with essential matters like heat, do not respond in a condescending manner. I.e. suggesting they buy a coat to wear inside of the apartment or telling them you’re “old enough to be their mother” (This is what happened to me).