Do I have a legal right to fight my former landlords over this?

carbon monoxide detectors nyc image

David

I moved out of my last apartment in NYC recently, but left behind a couch and a table. I told my landlords that I was doing this, and they said it was ok. They inspected the apartment, approved the inspection, and wrote me a check for my security deposit (which I deposited). The apartment itself had very little wear and tear from the 5 years I lived there (I videotaped the whole apartment before they inspected it). Now they have changed their minds and have told me that I have to remove the items or I will be charged $700. They have also attempted to cancel the check that I deposited as well. I will also note that the previous occupants left behind furniture when I moved in and this was fine.
Also, I was not on a lease with them for 5 years. During those 5 years, they never had pest control come over, never installed smoke detectors, and never installed carbon monoxide detectors. We were asked to leave the apartment on July 8th when they threatened to raise the rent from $1500/ month to at first $5000/month then $3000/month. I moved out of the apartment on July 30th because they demanded us to move out by the end of the month instead of giving us a full 30 days to move. What are my options here in case they try to keep my security deposit from me again?

Answer
Fight what? They already gave you the security deposit back. The rest is just noise.

Three Questions about Co-op Board's Requests for Incoming Tenants?

Frank S

A friend of mine and her family were recently approved for an apartment in a co-op in Yonkers, NY. Her family consist of herself, her older sister and their mother. Her older sister is the one whose name will be on the lease. The board though, had three requests that I find unusual. I want to know if such requests are illegal or at the very least, questionable:

1) The building's board requests that the lease-holder have furniture insurance (I'm not sure if they said that's mandatory or not. I thought that would be voluntary on the part of the tenant).

2) The board said that there would be a additional $7.00 monthly charge for a smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detector. I think this is illegal because â if not already installed â I thought the tenant just had to purchase the detector and install it, NOT pay a monthly charge on it like it's being rented.

3) When the co-op board contacted my friend's older sister that she was approved yesterday, they told her that her sister (my friend) and their mother would have to submit to a background check prior to moving in. This I've never heard of before. If they decline the check, can they be barred from moving in? (which I'm sure is illegal).

I realize that co-op boards do have a lot of discretion (I grew up and live in a NYC co-op myself so I know), but this particular co-op is in Yonkers, just north of NYC and are their co-op laws I'm sure are different (tried in vain to find them online); but I still think that what they are asking just flat out illegal or at the least inappropriate.

Answer
1) yes they can require insurance

2) they can not charge for a smoke detector, onlu for a CM detector.

3) Yes they can be barred, all adult have to pass the same background checks as everyone else. You are completely wrong about this being illegal.

Nothing is illegal other then charging for a smoke detector, CD detectors are very expensive, but they can require either ownership or lease of one.

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