I recently moved to NYC and live in a room in a house. I would like to understand my rights. I share a floor (2nd floor) with two other tenants, each has a room, and there is another tenant in the attic (do not know if renting the attic is legal). So four in all, in this part of the house. We share a kitchen, living room and a restroom.
The house is a Single Family Home being converted to a Two Family Home (ongoing construction). There were seven people living before the conversion process began (permit and construction).
Would this be considered an apartment, house or some other kind of dwelling .... what is an SRO? Accordingly, what rights/issues should I be aware of. The Landlord is kind of non-communicative .. just wondering if I am living in an illegal housing situation or something on the lines.
After doing some research, I now realize, that the zoning rules for this property do not allow individual rooms to be rented to boarders. So, am I in trouble?
The landlord has, on a couple of occasions, told me do not let in anyone from the DOB for inspection. If the DOB does carry out an inspection and find the LL to be running an illegal dwelling/rental situation, what would be the fallout for the LL and the tenants?
I just moved in and do not want the stress of moving again. Can I be evicted without notice ... would I be subject to any penalty for renting a room in the house .. Please advise.
Finally, the LL is kinda disrespectful - enters (even individual rooms) without notice, does not maintain the place, does not give accurate receipts, construction workers turned off electricity once without notice .... and so on.