Jill Terreri Ramos

A law exists to balance the interests of people who renovate their properties with the interests of their neighbors.Q: I rent a market-rate apartment in a three-unit building in Queens, and my neighbor is setting up for major construction. To do the construction safely, they say they need to set up scaffolding on our building’s

Rent-stabilized tenants can request to sublet their apartments in most cases, and landlords cannot unreasonably withhold consent. But what is ‘reasonable?’Q: I live in a rent-stabilized apartment in Brooklyn, and my lease is up for renewal. I plan to attend school outside the city and need to sublet my unit. But my lease contains a

Courts allow co-op boards significant power over building finances, including assessments — if the fees are in ‘good faith.’Q: I am a shareholder in a Riverdale co-op, and the board recently announced a $500,000 assessment that must be paid over the next three years. Based on my calculation, on average, each shareholder will be charged

More hosts are fighting over fewer guests, driving down prices and forcing the hosts to find creative ways to entice renters.In Scottsdale, Ariz., where the sunny weather lures bachelorette party revelers year-round, short-term rental owners are ready and waiting.Their houses are designed with bright interiors — vibrant wallpaper, neon signs, colorful murals, pops of pink

Carpeting rules are common. But housing laws protect residents with disabilities, to a point.Q: My mother has bad allergies and had to remove all of the carpets from her home many years ago. Now she’s looking to downsize, and we found a ground-floor apartment in a co-op in Nassau County. But the house rules require

The legal settlements roiling the real estate industry are changing the way commissions get paid. But the change could come slowly.Q: I recently signed a contract with Compass to have them represent me in the sale of my Manhattan apartment. The contract provides for a commission of 5 percent, which includes the commission for the

A lease rental bond guarantee, which covers losses if a tenant fails to pay the rent, may seem unnecessary. But your landlord can require one.Q: A year ago, when I applied for a market-rate apartment in the Bronx, the landlord required that I get a lease rental bond from a bond company. I have a

As long as this dog isn’t biting people, it’s probably not going anywhere. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to live with the noise.Q: My husband and I have lived in a co-op in Westchester County for 37 years. It’s a three-story building that prohibits dogs as pets, and we’ve always had a great

The law permits landlords to make upgrades in rent-stabilized units, but that doesn’t mean your rent has to go up.Q: I am a senior citizen and have lived for almost 50 years in a small building in Queens. My apartment is the only rent-stabilized unit in the building. The landlord is installing a new heating

Respecting your neighbor’s privacy is a friendly instinct. But you might have to get aggressive to ensure everyone else’s well-being.Q: I am on the board of a small co-op in Manhattan. One of our residents is very private, and possibly a hoarder. He refuses to allow anyone to enter his apartment, even the super. The