Unmasking the City's Dirty Little Secrets: A Guide to Building Violations
New York City: a concrete jungle where dreams are made, fortunes are built, and, let's be honest, building codes are occasionally ignored. Ever wondered if your neighbor's penthouse is actually a fire hazard waiting to happen? Or maybe you're just a nosy neighbor with too much time on your hands. Either way, you're in luck! Let's dive into the thrilling world of building violations.
The Thrill of the Hunt
Uncovering building violations is like being a real-life detective. You're not just looking for a missing cat or a stolen bicycle; you're on the hunt for potential safety hazards, illegal conversions, and maybe even a secret underground lair (okay, maybe not the last one). But hey, a girl can dream, right?
Your Weapon of Choice: The Building Information System (BIS)
To embark on your quest for truth and justice (or at least a decent building), you'll need your trusty sidekick: the Building Information System (BIS). It's like Google, but for building crimes. You can find it at a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/bispi00.jsp. Just type in the address of the building you're interested in, and voila! You'll have access to a treasure trove of information, including permits, violations, and even the building's age.
What to Look For
Now, let's talk about the juicy stuff. When you're scanning through the BIS, keep an eye out for these red flags:
- Open Violations: These are like the wanted posters of the building world. They indicate problems that haven't been fixed.
- Vacate Orders: If you see one of these, it means the building is unsafe and people should probably evacuate.
- DOB Violations: These are issued by the Department of Buildings, and they cover a wide range of issues.
- ECB Violations: The Environmental Control Board deals with stuff like noise complaints and illegal conversions.
Remember: Just because a building has violations doesn't mean it's a condemned death trap. But it's definitely something to keep an eye on.
How to Be a Responsible Citizen
Once you've uncovered a building's dirty laundry, what do you do with it? You could become a whistleblower, contact your local elected official, or simply inform the building's owner. Or, you could do nothing and pretend you never saw anything. The choice is yours!
But seriously, if you discover something truly dangerous, it's important to report it to the appropriate authorities. You could save lives!
How-To FAQs
- How to find violations for a specific address: Input the address into the Building Information System (BIS).
- How to understand the different types of violations: Look for keywords like "vacate order," "DOB," and "ECB."
- How to report a dangerous building condition: Contact the Department of Buildings or your local elected official.
- How to avoid becoming a landlord's worst nightmare: Mind your own business.
- How to become a building inspector: Get a degree in engineering or construction management.