Friday, February 17, 2006
NJ State Lead Pamphlet for Resident of Multi-Family Properties
The state lead regulations effective May 2005 require that owners of pre-1978 properties that are not certified lead-free to distribute a pamphlet prior to commencement of repair work that will disturb more than two square feet unless the tenant has received the pamphlet within the last 12 months. Including the pamphlet in your lease and renewals is likely the most efficient and effective means of complying with this requirement. Click on Tenant Information Sheet at http://www.state.nj.us/dca/codes/ for a copy of the pamphlet.
NEW JERSEY WINDOW GUARD LEASE ADDENDUM:
From the New Jersey Apartment Association. Should be made a part of all new leases.
Suggested language provided by Tracey Goldstein, Esq. - Feinstein Raiss Kelin & Booker LLC of West Orange, NJ.
The tenant may have window guards installed by the landlord in the tenant's apartment and the public halls, provided that: (1) the tenant makes a written request to the landlord for such installation; and (2) a child 10 years of age or younger resides in the apartment or are regularly present in the apartment for a substantial period of time; and (3) the tenant’s apartment is located higher than the first floor. Tenants living on the first floor may only request window guards on windows in public halls above the first floor to which persons in the tenant's unit have access without having to exit the building. Window guards shall not be installed on any window giving access to a fire escape. No tenant shall obstruct or interfere with the installation of the window guards and no tenant shall remove or otherwise render ineffective such window guards. The tenant shall grant the landlord access to the apartment to inspect each window guard in the apartment. Any expenditures made by the landlord in connection with installation and maintenance of the window guards shall be deemed to be capital improvement costs, which may be, at the landlord’s option, passed onto the tenant. These costs shall be considered additional rent.
Suggested language provided by Tracey Goldstein, Esq. - Feinstein Raiss Kelin & Booker LLC of West Orange, NJ.
The tenant may have window guards installed by the landlord in the tenant's apartment and the public halls, provided that: (1) the tenant makes a written request to the landlord for such installation; and (2) a child 10 years of age or younger resides in the apartment or are regularly present in the apartment for a substantial period of time; and (3) the tenant’s apartment is located higher than the first floor. Tenants living on the first floor may only request window guards on windows in public halls above the first floor to which persons in the tenant's unit have access without having to exit the building. Window guards shall not be installed on any window giving access to a fire escape. No tenant shall obstruct or interfere with the installation of the window guards and no tenant shall remove or otherwise render ineffective such window guards. The tenant shall grant the landlord access to the apartment to inspect each window guard in the apartment. Any expenditures made by the landlord in connection with installation and maintenance of the window guards shall be deemed to be capital improvement costs, which may be, at the landlord’s option, passed onto the tenant. These costs shall be considered additional rent.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Don't let the Bedbugs Bite
Last night I was at a rental property owner’s association meeting in the Albany area. There was an exterminator there who said he’s had one call for bedbugs in the last 10 years, and ten calls in the last month. Then he asks me you guys got ‘em down in Jersey?
“Nope.”
This afternoon I got a call from my exterminator, who never calls me. Guess what? One of my units called to complain about bedbugs. They called me to okay the treatment, which is not included in my contract, and costs $375. The tenant balked at the cost without even hearing what it was. I approved the treatment because I don’t want it spreading throughout the building, and ultimately it will end up in my lap anyway.
You’ve been warned.
“Nope.”
This afternoon I got a call from my exterminator, who never calls me. Guess what? One of my units called to complain about bedbugs. They called me to okay the treatment, which is not included in my contract, and costs $375. The tenant balked at the cost without even hearing what it was. I approved the treatment because I don’t want it spreading throughout the building, and ultimately it will end up in my lap anyway.
You’ve been warned.
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