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World's Worst Apartment Building

Hookers, Slot Machines, Rats: Life at The Bronx's 2320 Aqueduct Avenue.

Everything about the derelict apartment building at 2320 Aqueduct Avenue in the Bronx is a gamble. The place is pretty much a madhouse. From 1994 to 2007, the prewar building was owned by Jacob Selechnik, a former member of the Voice's "10 Worst Landlords" list, whom tenant activists dubbed "Jake the Snake" -- and not just for his rap sheet of more than 10,000 code violations on his vast array of Bronx properties.

Not so long ago, pigeons were being raised on the roof of 2320 Aqueduct, prompting an invasion of rats on the floors below. More recently, prostitutes plied their trade in the lobby's utility closet. When the dope dealer out front concluded his business for the day, you could find him living in the building's elevator machine room. Currently, a makeshift casino and numbers parlor operates out of a first-floor apartment.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-12-01/news/hookers-slot-machines-rats-life-at-the-bronx-s-2320-aqueduct-ave/

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If only this sort of justice had been applied to certain Southampton landlord!

http://uk.askmen.com/cars/car-news/16_slumlord-justice.html

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FAQ: What documents do I need to rent an apt in NYC?

When I first meet with clients on their apartment search, I always tell them upfront that they should have their landlord documents ready -- even before they see their first apartment. 

In this busy Spring/Summer market, being prepared with your landlord docs is of the utmost importance because although rental prices have decreased during the Winter, apartment demand has increased exponentially as more people are seeking to UPGRADE and take advantage of the "renter's market."  Add to this university students seeking off-campus housing and the new hires relocating to NYC and you have renter pandemonium (yes, i-banks, law firms and multi-national corporations are hiring across the board, despite the job-loss reports)!

Having your landlord docs ready is crucial when you find the place you want -- otherwise the landlord will pass over your application for a better prepared candidate.

What documents do you need?  Use this checklist as a general rule of thumb:

• Letter of employment stating salary, position and length of employment (If self-employed, a letter from your certified public accountant)
• Two most recent, consecutive ADP/pay stubs
• Most recent bank statement
• Tax return from last 2 years (Form 1040 - 1st & 2nd pages only)
• Letter of reference from present landlord
• Verification of additional income (i.e. trust fund, portfolio statements)
• A clear copy of a Photo-ID from all applicants (2 times actual size)

Keep them in a folder and BRING THEM WITH YOU WHEN YOU SEE APARTMENTS!

Ask me how I can make the process of finding your next apartment easy for YOU!  I have the market knowledge, the landlord connections and the negotiation strategy to secure the apartment you want!   THAT'S HOW I DO!

Contact me when you are ready to begin your apartment search!

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