Execution at Flatbush Gardens.

Honestly, I wasn't going to post this, because I try to keep this to my experiences, and the experiences of those I personally know, and I didn't really see this. However, people have the right to know, and ok, I'll admit it, I'm rather annoyed at FBG right now because though I've been patient with their incompetence and the fact that they don't have a maintenance department, the last time I went to ask them for something they were very rude and that's just too much for me. It's one thing to be incompetent but try to be pleasant while you're ignoring people.

Anyway, a guy was executed by someone on the roof of one of the buildings here a couple weeks ago.

http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7273110&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/08/23/2008-08-23_excon_shot_dead_on_brooklyn_roof-2.html


Two interesting follow-ups, (1) police were patrolling the area for a few days after that, and had this weird observation booth set up on Newkirk (though that may or may not be related; see picture below), (2) the ex-roommate said she saw a group of people out in the courtyard after the incident, one of them was clearly upset at another one of them for having talked to the police and they were fighting. The upset one's girlfriend was trying to pull him away and as she did he made threatening gun motions with his hand, as one might suspect implies the intent to kill him for whatever reason. Anyway, I don't know. The ex-roommate is thinking about moving in July because of the incident. I don't really consider it grounds for moving, though now I may move out because of the rude incompetence of management.

Section 8 discrimination.

I was in the leasing office the other day (not today, but the other day), and I heard the desk girl take a call to the effect of: "Yes we accept section 8 vouchers, but we currently do not have any section 8 unit vacancies, please call back later."

Isn't that illegal? I thought the state legislature passed a law that landlords with more than 6 units cannot discriminate based on source of income. Maybe not.

(And of course, once again, no waitlist, just time wasting "come back later because you don't have anything better to do with your life.")

More elevator breaking.

So, this one was worth a picture. Someone on the fifth floor totally busted the elevator door.

Shocking!

So, if you've read earlier posts, you know that two of my outlets did not work. I replaced them myself. Took about an hour, and outlets only cost like $5 each (retail, I hear they cost like a quarter in bulk). Anyway, one of the old outlets is below. Both outlets were the same, totally broken. It's beyond obvious that no one even looked at them during the referb. So outlet checking/replacing is not something that should be assumed will be done.



However, the wiring on the outlets was still very good. Which is a relief, because I added an outlet to my bathroom (since the bathroom did not come with an outlet). The wiring (which they had to have seen since the switch and light were new installs) was totally striped (from age). There was literally two feet of exposed wire in there. I'm shocked the place hadn't burned down yet. I fixed the wiring in the bathroom, but I hope the rest of the place is as good as the broken outlets, and not as bad as the bathroom, or I'm quite scared.

Bonus exercise!

The elevator broke again sometime during the day. I had to carry my bike up to the top floor. It's good exercise. As outlined in my "what's wrong with the apt" post, I sent maintenance a letter. I've yet to get my phone call. Anyway.

Update: Took less than a day to get it up and running this time.

Fresh whole goat.

I find this odd. Posted outside the "meat" grocery store, along with 100 other ads for the week:

Up until today, I honestly didn't know where one could buy a whole goat. If anyone has a recipe for whole goat, please post and I will buy a goat.

Silent policy shift.

So, it's been over a month since I told them about the things that needed to be fixed when I moved in. They never responded or called once, though did come in and fix a few small things one day. I called them back again, and they finally called me back. However, they now say that leasing no longer handles any of it, and I should call management/maintenance. Super. That would have been nice to know when they made the decision. Anyway, I've had enough fun for one day, I'll send them a letter later.

Air Conditioners, $338 per unit!

When we originally looked at the place they told us A/C was a $285 fee, with no mention of a per unit expense. I guess a per unit expense makes sense, and is the law, but it also doesn't make sense. I can install one 18,000 BTU unit for half the price of two 6,000 BTU units, and not only do the smaller ones together use 2/3rds the energy, but I may turn one off from time to time using 1/3rd the energy.

Anyway, today all residents got fliers saying management has gone around photographing all the buildings and will be billing the residents $338 per installed unit. Further, they state that the charge will stand even if you uninstall a unit or a unit stops working. Further, they say you have 10 days to contest the number of units installed at your residence or waive your right to contest it (this part I don't think is legal, but the rest is).

So, moral of the story is buy the biggest unit you can find and some fans to push it into other rooms. Also, run the sucker 24/7. Unless you care about the environment, then maybe turn it off from time to time.

And if you want 3 units, you better start saving, because that's over a thousand dollars. They will however charge you 1/12th of that per month to help you afford it.

Some things I really like.

I'd like to point out a few things about this apartment that are great (especially things you may fear wouldn't be great in a "cheaper" place).
1. There is always plenty of really hot water.
2. The bathtub is deep (I do like the occasional bath).
3. Really thick walls (low to no noise).
4. Pretty nice and cheap washing machines at the central location.

I'm sure there are others.

Note about repairs.

They made some repairs on 7/22. Almost three weeks after we moved in, and two weeks after we made a request for repair. That seems like a long time, and it is. However, I will point out, that I get the feeling if I had called them every day or every other day to ask about the status, it would have happened much faster. It would be nice if it happened right away without follow-up, but you get what you pay for. I'm still holding out hope that future work (including the rest of my list) is a little faster.