I am a tenant live in a half basement apartment (rent stabilized), at the bottom of a brown stone building. Recently, I, my landlord, to be exact, received a (fire)code violation from the Division of Code Enforcement because of the drop-ceiling inside of my apartment. The violation written as follows: "300 M/D law file plans and application and legalize the following alteration or restore to the legal condition existing prior to the making of said alteration drop ceiling in the entire apartment located in the basement."
I cannot afford to have secondary ceiling removed because there are all kinds of pipes like hot/cold water and valves behind the drop ceiling, and that's why I cannot live under rotten pipes.
My LL said he will remove the drop-ceiling first and then put some kind of more permanent (plaster?) ceiling instead.
What if my LL removes the drop ceiling and then "forgets" about putting back the new ceiling he has promised? Should I have an attorney legally cover while this whole thing is going on? Maybe it is a good idea to have him put the whole thing in writing as agreement between LL and I?
Maybe the LL SHOULD file legalize the alteration ceiling as it said in the explanation of the violation, how much it will cost and how complicate process are my landlord's to concern, yes?
Thanks all!
<small>[ November 19, 2002, 03:46 PM: Message edited by: Strad ]</small>