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Posted by TenantNet on November 10, 1998 at 08:29:01:

In Reply to: Does Buildings Department log phoned complaints? posted by Robert Widmann on November 03, 1998 at 22:10:49:

: This has bearing on a huge MCI increase I and other tenants are facing.
: I know I called in 3 complaints about substantial work being done without
: a permit. (Rear of building being covered with new brick and a bunker
: structure being constructed under the former courtyard.) Buildings Dept.
: has no record on computer of the complaints. Department of Investigation,
: despite my repeated protests that my complaint had to do with "something
: funny going on at Buildings Dept.", in the end sent me a letter noting my
: complaint about work being done without a permit. I wrote to correct them,
: but recieved no further communication. I do not believe I was given a
: complaint number for any of these calls to DOB (made in 1996).

I seem to remember hearing that they they do log complaints on a computer
tape, but you will need a subpoena or Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
request to get it. If the work was done without permits, chances are
there still are no permits and you might be able to get a violation on the
existing work. Problem is that DHCR is likely to ignore any violations
on the work and "refer" you back to DOB. This is illegal, but they get
away with it. You need to dig in your heels and get a good tenant lawyer
who knows this stuff.

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Comments:
: : This has bearing on a huge MCI increase I and other tenants are facing.
: : I know I called in 3 complaints about substantial work being done without
: : a permit.  (Rear of building being covered with new brick and a bunker
: : structure being constructed under the former courtyard.) Buildings Dept.
: : has no record on computer of the complaints.  Department of Investigation,
: : despite my repeated protests that my complaint had to do with "something
: : funny going on at Buildings Dept.", in the end sent me a letter noting my
: : complaint about work being done without a permit.  I wrote to correct them, 
: : but recieved no further communication.  I do not believe I was given a 
: : complaint number for any of these calls to DOB (made in 1996).

: I seem to remember hearing that they they do log complaints on a computer
: tape, but you will need a subpoena or Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
: request to get it. If the work was done without permits, chances are
: there still are no permits and you might be able to get a violation on the
: existing work. Problem is that DHCR is likely to ignore any violations
: on the work and "refer" you back to DOB. This is illegal, but they get
: away with it. You need to dig in your heels and get a good tenant lawyer
: who knows this stuff.


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