Public safety is a top priority in New York City. More than a million buildings in NYC must abide by the laws and safety regulations established by the Department of Buildings (DOB) of the city. To further promote “integrity in the construction industry,” the DOB even published an Industry Code of Conduct. A building will receive a violation notice if it violates any DOB laws. But not every infraction is the same. The violation may serve as the basis for a criminal court summons and prosecution, depending on how serious it was. Others have no immediate fines or penalties, so building owners may be inclined to overlook them. Additionally, a standard title search will reveal all reported violations on the property when it comes to buying, selling, or renovating a building. This will put a stop to any further development and property sales until the violations are resolved. Any violation should be handled seriously and right away since it raises concerns about public safety.
Most common violations are listed as below
Violations ranging from environmental to structural can invite reprimand, but the following are the most frequent issues:
Inability to provide heat and hot water
One of the most frequent violation is failing to keep the interior temperature at 68 degrees when the outside temperature drops below 55 degrees during the day or at 55 degrees when the outside temperature drops below 40 degrees at night. Furthermore, hot water that is at least 120 degrees must always be available.
Doors and windows that require a key to exit
During an emergency, it could be fatal to waste time to look for a key in order to escape a building.
Mold and pests
Tenants are accountable for keeping their apartments clean enough to avoid attracting pests or an excessive amount of mold indoors. However, owners are accountable for unchecked conditions that lead to a barge of mold or rodents.
Lack of accessibility
Of the five titles of the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA), Title III is the most pertinent to architects, builders, and others involved in the planning, development, and maintenance of buildings. It has revolutionized the way architects design and construct structures worldwide. Accessibility issues exist in both recently built structures and older architectural works.
How to fix a violation?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) established rules that are flexible in order to accommodate facilities that may find it difficult to remove or correct barriers. We have listed the top 5 ways to remove barriers and have included 21 examples.
- Removing barriers is an accessible solution
- Putting in ramps, cutting curbs at entrances and sidewalks
- Shifting the shelves
- Rearranging furniture such as tables, chairs, vending machines, display racks, and other items to make enough room for movement
- Raised letters and Braille marking should be added to elevator control buttons
Call the non-emergency hotline in NYC if you need to report a building violation. We advise working with a professional to make sure you follow all rules and safety procedures if you are working on a construction site and want to avoid infractions. RZ Constructions, prominent violation removal service providers can guide you through the process and ensure that your building project is completed on schedule.