BrickUnderground

Tenants in New York City now have many more protections thanks to sweeping rent reforms passed in June. Host Emily Myers is joined by attorney Sam Himmelstein to consider what the changes mean for New Yorkers.

Documents provide a paper trail that exists to protect all parties involved in a renovation. They are important for your record-keeping, and in some cases, can have significant legal consequences. 

Here are eight common tactics NYC homeowners often take to avoid a renovation nightmare—and why they backfire.

If there are major problems like a leaking roof, defective windows or buckled flooring on a brand new building, then suing an unresponsive sponsor might be your only option. If it is a minor problem that can be repaired at little cost it’s probably not worth it because lawsuits for a building’s construction defects can be very expensive and drag on for years.

Buying an apartment in NYC requires figuring out how much you can afford for a down payment, as well as monthly carrying costs and closing costs, and still have enough left over to pay expenses.

Post-closing possession is when a seller wants to live in their home for a few weeks after the closing. It's a no-risk proposition for sellers--and the exact opposite for buyers. Here's how buyers can protect themselves.