Searching for that affordable and ever-elusive rental isn't easy but the process has become a bit more transparent in New York City. Bad landlords and apartment's bed bug history are now easier to find.
Landlords From Hell
A new website launched this week will help renters to find out "the dirt" on prospective landlords before they rent. Touted as the watch list for "NYC's Worst Landlords", renters can search a database of landlords with the highest levels of code violations name. The site was put together by the City's Public Advocate's office and is aimed at identifying and tracking the city's most irresponsible landlordlords. Owners who appear on the list have a minimum of two significant house code violations per apartment.
“If you’re looking for an apartment, check for your potential landlord on the Watch List first," said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.
The watchlist is located here. The site also offers information on reporting irresponsible landlords. There are currently, 155 landlords who own 165 buildings are on the list.
Disclosing Bed Bug History
Bedbugs come out the closets, floorboards, even books and yes mattresses. Now that history needs to be documented by landlords thanks to the "Bedbug Disclosure Act" was signed into law by Gov. David Paterson.
Owners will have to disclose a one-year history of bedbug infestations to potential tenants, but the law does not apply to potential buyers.
For more information about the bedbug disclosure act contact the offices of New York Senator José Peralta, the bill's sponsor or New York Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal .
