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Pumpkin1
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
OK, maybe I came across a little harsh but I stand by this statement. If you need the extra income from renting part of your home, get the proper permits and pay taxes on that income.
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Posted 2/26/08 9:22 AM  |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
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That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Pumpkin1
OK, maybe I came across a little harsh but I stand by this statement. If you need the extra income from renting part of your home, get the proper permits and pay taxes on that income.
Im sorry but I have to agree with this as well. There are many ways to make an apartment legal if you file for the proper permits. Or you can simply buy a cheaper home is another alternative.
If you buy a home with an illegal apartment with the intention of renting it out from the start, then I guess expect the consequences if people in your neighborhood decide to report you.
The bottom line is people try to get something (tenants & rental income) for nothing (not paying taxes - property & income).
While you won't see me dialing the phone reporting people, on the other hand I can't feel sorry for them or their situation. My property taxes are going up 6% every year (the max allowed by law) and all these illegal apartments are not helping the situation.
It's one thing if you buy a house with the intention of carrying it on your own and not having tenants. And then if the times get bad (hubby loses his job) you are FORCED to rent it out.
But to buy a larger home with the strict intention from the start of renting out an apartment to get some free income, sorry but I don't go for that.
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| Posted 2/26/08 10:02 AM |
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Kara
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by ave1024
Posted by Pumpkin1
OK, maybe I came across a little harsh but I stand by this statement. If you need the extra income from renting part of your home, get the proper permits and pay taxes on that income.
Im sorry but I have to agree with this as well. There are many ways to make an apartment legal if you file for the proper permits. Or you can simply buy a cheaper home is another alternative.
If you buy a home with an illegal apartment with the intention of renting it out from the start, then I guess expect the consequences if people in your neighborhood decide to report you.
The bottom line is people try to get something (tenants & rental income) for nothing (not paying taxes - property & income).
While you won't see me dialing the phone reporting people, on the other hand I can't feel sorry for them or their situation. My property taxes are going up 6% every year (the max allowed by law) and all these illegal apartments are not helping the situation.
It's one thing if you buy a house with the intention of carrying it on your own and not having tenants. And then if the times get bad (hubby loses his job) you are FORCED to rent it out.
But to buy a larger home with the strict intention from the start of renting out an apartment to get some free income, sorry but I don't go for that.
ITA. It may sound harsh, but if you cannot afford your home without breaking the law to pay for it, then you cannot afford to own that home. Period. Find a more affordable living situation. The vast majority of people renting out portions of their homes are not destitute and wouldn't be homeless without the apartment. They'd be able to find other suitable living arrangements. If you cannot afford to have the proper permits and pay the proper taxes, then you are living well beyond your means already. It's not my job to subsidize someone else living a lifestyle they cannot afford, but I do it every time I pay my taxes.
If someone was shocked and saddened by that sentiment -- well, I think you should be shocked and saddened by the incredible number of people who feel like they are entitled to life a lifestyle they cannot afford at the expense of others living within or beneath their means.
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| Posted 2/26/08 10:08 AM |
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Erica
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Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Pumpkin1
OK, maybe I came across a little harsh but I stand by this statement. If you need the extra income from renting part of your home, get the proper permits and pay taxes on that income.
I don't think it's harsh. Why is it so shocking tht people should be able to afford their mortgage without an illegal apartment? Isn't this what got us into the subprime mess to begin with?
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| Posted 2/26/08 11:24 AM |
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Lisa
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Erica
Posted by Pumpkin1
OK, maybe I came across a little harsh but I stand by this statement. If you need the extra income from renting part of your home, get the proper permits and pay taxes on that income.
I don't think it's harsh. Why is it so shocking tht people should be able to afford their mortgage without an illegal apartment? Isn't this what got us into the subprime mess to begin with?
I agree!!
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| Posted 2/26/08 11:27 AM |
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MST9106
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Whether you agree or disagree with people renting illegal apartments it is so not worth taking the risk and doing this. Once your neighbors snitch on you, thats it...you're basically $crewed financially. I would rather make the apt legal and increase the value of my house.
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| Posted 2/26/08 2:20 PM |
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MommyofG
just the girls
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Janice
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Im not for it but when do you draw the line?
If its family renting to family- like a parent, MIL, brother,sister etc.
Im just curious if anyone would have a change of heart if it was a personal decision.
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| Posted 2/26/08 5:04 PM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
i really hope none of you ever get in a financial mess
i own my house with no renters
however, my grandparents, who owned their home from 1969 until my grandpa died in 2005 had a renter the last 15 or so years they were alive. why?? because even though they bought the house with only a high school education, 1 working parent and 3 kids, they were able to live there confortably for several decades. after grandpa retired and taxes skyrocketed, their social security and measly pension DID NOT increase. so what were they left to do? why should they have to move from their hard earned home which was nicely taken care of? so they rented out to a single man to be able to pay their taxes and live. and this is with a senior deduction and military benefit.
so to say someone should move is idiotic. you don't know everyone's situation. do i like renters? heck no--there's illegal apartments all around me but the problem is WHO lives there, not the fact that it's illegal. it wouldn't matter even if it was legal.
i'd love to see one of you tell my sweet grandparents to their faces that if they couldn't afford their house they don't have the right to live there. they'd give you a piece of their loud italian minds if they were still here!
however, to people who knowingly make a one family house into a 3 family house...that is a WHOLE other story than someone just trying to get by on an island that is fast becoming unaffordable to the vast majority of us.
i truly hope you all never lose your job or get sick or lose an income. somehow i doubt you'd be all holier than thou then.
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| Posted 2/26/08 7:43 PM |
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jenn28
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Jenn
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
I agree that illegal apartments cause problems, but sometimes people fall upon hard times and they rent part of their house. My friend's parents did it for about a year since her dad was not working while he undergoing cancer treatments. Things happen. I find it hurtful when someone said if you can't afford it get out! I only wish that person never falls upon hard times, b/c I am not sure if he or she would know what to do.
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| Posted 2/26/08 8:23 PM |
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Diana1215
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Diana
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
I was going to steer clear from this thread but figured what the hell.
When we bought our house we had a household income of around 250K. I decided to quit my job bc we were planning on having a family. Our 250K joint salary dropped.
We have a rental in our basement. We have the most amazing tenants ever. We live on a no outlet block where NO ONE comes down. We have no homes across the street so we have plenty of parking. All of my neighbors LOVE my tenants (Megsm3) and have been known to ask for their help a few times.
Do we need the rental to pay our mortgage? No. Does it help with everything else. Hell yea! Having the rental gives me the luxury of staying home and raising my son.
Everyone has to do what is right for their own family. Everyone is so quick to judge. If it is not directly affecting you (parking in front of your home - leaving garbage on your lawn) then I don't understand why anyone would give a rats ***. I think it's time for people to start minding their own business personally.
And - renting out homes where there are tons of people in there - making it look like the slums are one thing - but to rent it to a young couple just starting out - I see nothing wrong with that at all.
I rented 3 places before I owned my home. All in people's houses. I was just as respectful as if it were my own home. How are young people supposed to get started if they can't rent in homes? There def. are not enough apartment complexes on LI for the demand that is out there.
Message edited 2/26/2008 8:29:25 PM.
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| Posted 2/26/08 8:26 PM |
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Kara
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by browneyedgirl
i really hope none of you ever get in a financial mess
i own my house with no renters
however, my grandparents, who owned their home from 1969 until my grandpa died in 2005 had a renter the last 15 or so years they were alive. why?? because even though they bought the house with only a high school education, 1 working parent and 3 kids, they were able to live there confortably for several decades. after grandpa retired and taxes skyrocketed, their social security and measly pension DID NOT increase. so what were they left to do? why should they have to move from their hard earned home which was nicely taken care of? so they rented out to a single man to be able to pay their taxes and live. and this is with a senior deduction and military benefit.
so to say someone should move is idiotic. you don't know everyone's situation. do i like renters? heck no--there's illegal apartments all around me but the problem is WHO lives there, not the fact that it's illegal. it wouldn't matter even if it was legal.
i'd love to see one of you tell my sweet grandparents to their faces that if they couldn't afford their house they don't have the right to live there. they'd give you a piece of their loud italian minds if they were still here!
however, to people who knowingly make a one family house into a 3 family house...that is a WHOLE other story than someone just trying to get by on an island that is fast becoming unaffordable to the vast majority of us.
i truly hope you all never lose your job or get sick or lose an income. somehow i doubt you'd be all holier than thou then.
So expecting people to obey the law is now a "holier than thou" attitude? For every story like your grandparents, there is one like my parents -- who will have to sell their home due to skyrocketing taxes and the fact that they cannot afford it in retirement. And they will sell their home and downsize. Sure, they'd LOVE to stay in their wonderful home that they, too, earned with their hard earned money, but they cannot afford to. They wouldn't dream of breaking the law -- They accept that they can't afford it and understand that they aren't entitled to something they cannot legally afford.
If people want to put LEGAL apartments in their homes and pay the tax consequences associated with that, I have no problem with that. I DO have a problem with people who think they are entitled (for whatever reason) to break law, while the rest of us must subsidize that.
Affordable housing IS a problem. Breaking the law isn't the solution. Coming up with legal solutions is.
You don't think it's going to break my heart to watch my parents sell the home they've owned for 40 years? The home I grew up in? Of course it is. I don't, however, think my parents are entitled to break the law just to keep their home that they can no longer afford b/c they worked hard to purchase it and maintain it beautifully for years.
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| Posted 2/27/08 8:55 AM |
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Kara
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Diana1215
Everyone has to do what is right for their own family.
Yes, but within the bounds of the law.
If I money laundering, stealing from the cash register at work, cheating on my income taxes, etc. to take care of my family, I think MOST people would have a problem with that. I don't see how illegal apartments are much different.
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| Posted 2/27/08 8:58 AM |
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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Diana1215
Having the rental gives me the luxury of staying home and raising my son.
If you don't need the rent, why not get the permits to make it legal and pay the taxes?
I agree with Kara, it is no different than stealing. Aside from being illegal, it is greed, immoral and unethical.
Also, there is no "entitlement" to own a home.
Message edited 2/27/2008 9:24:22 AM.
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| Posted 2/27/08 9:23 AM |
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Diana1215
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Diana
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Kara
Posted by Diana1215
Everyone has to do what is right for their own family.
Yes, but within the bounds of the law.
If I money laundering, stealing from the cash register at work, cheating on my income taxes, etc. to take care of my family, I think MOST people would have a problem with that. I don't see how illegal apartments are much different.
I personally think there is a big difference. But again - you have your opinion obviously - and I have mine.
My tenants are not sending their children to school - they are a young couple starting out - saving for a home (that they just purchased by the way)
I see nothing wrong with these starter apartments that help people get on track to buying a home.
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| Posted 2/27/08 9:23 AM |
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Diana1215
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Diana
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Pumpkin1
Posted by Diana1215
Having the rental gives me the luxury of staying home and raising my son.
Can you in good conscience say to your child "I broke the law so I could stay home with you"? If you don't need the rent, why not get the permits to make it legal and pay the taxes?
Yes - I could in good conscience tell my child that I "Broke the law" so that I could stay home with him when he was a baby. Give me a break and please get a reality check of what is going on here on Long Island.
There are illegal apartments everywhere. Why should *I* not do it - when there are say 15 others on my surrounding blocks? If/When LI cracks down on apartments - then sure - I will have no problem not renting mine. But, until then - I don't see why I should go back to work and send my child to daycare when there are illegal apartments EVERYWHERE on Long Island.
And, this isn't even an issue for me anymore as my tenants are moving out in a month bc they bought their own home.
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| Posted 2/27/08 9:27 AM |
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sunnyplus3
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
I think this whole thing is getting way too heated. We should be able to agree to disagree on this topic & not attack each other.
I mentioned much earlier in the tthread that there are rentals all around my neighborhod, I assume most of them to be illegal, but in actuality I do not know if they are or not! There are a few basement apartments around I I'm pretty sure they are illegal because almost every township on LI prohibits basement apartments. Additionally I know some of my neighbors are renting to family members & I see NOTHING wrong with that, its not like they have 18 people living in one house.
I agree it would be nice for everyone that has a rental to legalize & pay their fair share of taxes because I'm not a fan of breaking the law.
I wonder how many other people here that are such law abiding citizens speed on LIE or talk on the cell phone with a hands free device. That's breaking the law too...are you proud to tell your kids you do that?
I'm just playing devils advocate a bit because I think this is getting out of control.
Message edited 2/27/2008 9:37:08 AM.
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| Posted 2/27/08 9:35 AM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
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Diana
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
I am also curious to know - neither of you have friends or family who rent an illegal apartment on LI? Do you tell them that they should suck it up and buy a house they can't afford? Or, do you tell them that they should move out of state?
Do you have family that rents out an apartment in their house illegally? You should tell them that they should move out of state or downsize because of it. I'm sure that would go over well.
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| Posted 2/27/08 9:37 AM |
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Pumpkin1
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Diana1215
Yes - I could in good conscience tell my child that I "Broke the law" so that I could stay home with him when he was a baby. Give me a break and please get a reality check of what is going on here on Long Island.
There are illegal apartments everywhere. Why should *I* not do it - when there are say 15 others on my surrounding blocks? If/When LI cracks down on apartments - then sure - I will have no problem not renting mine. But, until then - I don't see why I should go back to work and send my child to daycare when there are illegal apartments EVERYWHERE on Long Island.
And, this isn't even an issue for me anymore as my tenants are moving out in a month bc they bought their own home.
Now, I am speechless. What is the basis of this sense of entitlement? This "'I'm going to get what I want, even if it means breaking the law" mentality is what is wrong with society. It is convenient to complain about how high taxes are on LI, but these apartments are directly adding to the problem. Yet, you have an extra $10K tax free in your pocket at the end of the year and we are not supposed to have a problem with that?
Message edited 2/27/2008 9:44:50 AM.
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| Posted 2/27/08 9:40 AM |
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Pumpkin1
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Diana1215
I am also curious to know - neither of you have friends or family who rent an illegal apartment on LI? Do you tell them that they should suck it up and buy a house they can't afford? Or, do you tell them that they should move out of state?
Do you have family that rents out an apartment in their house illegally? You should tell them that they should move out of state or downsize because of it. I'm sure that would go over well.
None of our family does this. We have 1 friend who does in Suffolk County and they are well aware of my views.
I lived in an apartment for years (and, for a time, with 2 kids) because we could not afford a home. We saved up enough and got better jobs, and now we own a home.
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| Posted 2/27/08 9:47 AM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
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Diana
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Pumpkin1
Posted by Diana1215
Yes - I could in good conscience tell my child that I "Broke the law" so that I could stay home with him when he was a baby. Give me a break and please get a reality check of what is going on here on Long Island.
There are illegal apartments everywhere. Why should *I* not do it - when there are say 15 others on my surrounding blocks? If/When LI cracks down on apartments - then sure - I will have no problem not renting mine. But, until then - I don't see why I should go back to work and send my child to daycare when there are illegal apartments EVERYWHERE on Long Island.
And, this isn't even an issue for me anymore as my tenants are moving out in a month bc they bought their own home.
Now, I am speechless. What is the basis of this sense of entitlement? This "'I'm going to get what I want, even if it means breaking the law" mentality is what is wrong with society. It is convenient to complain about how high taxes are on LI, but these apartments are directly adding to the problem. Yet, you have an extra $10K tax free in your pocket at the end of the year and we are not supposed to have a problem with that?
There is no sense of entitlement at all. I'm stating a fact - there are illegal apartments everywhere - I even know of cops who have illegal apartments in their home. If they could in good conscience "break the law" as you say then I don't understand why an elderlly couple should sell their home if they can get a rental in to help pay their mortgage.
This is beating a dead horse - you have your opinion - I have mine.
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| Posted 2/27/08 9:49 AM |
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Kara
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Diana1215
I am also curious to know - neither of you have friends or family who rent an illegal apartment on LI? Do you tell them that they should suck it up and buy a house they can't afford? Or, do you tell them that they should move out of state?
Do you have family that rents out an apartment in their house illegally? You should tell them that they should move out of state or downsize because of it. I'm sure that would go over well.
No. I have no friends or family that have rented or are renting illegal apartments. I also have no friends or family with illegal apartments in their homes.
I don't tell them to buy a house they can't afford (newsflash - if you can only afford it with an illegal apartment, you really CANNOT afford it). They waited, lived beneath their means, and saved in order to afford a home. Some don't own homes yet, but probably will eventually.
I don't see what the problem with living within one's means is.
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| Posted 2/27/08 9:59 AM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
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Diana
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Kara
Posted by Diana1215
I am also curious to know - neither of you have friends or family who rent an illegal apartment on LI? Do you tell them that they should suck it up and buy a house they can't afford? Or, do you tell them that they should move out of state?
Do you have family that rents out an apartment in their house illegally? You should tell them that they should move out of state or downsize because of it. I'm sure that would go over well.
I don't see what the problem with living within one's means is.
But what about when circumstances change? Should the homeowners just up and sell their homes because one lost their job? If they have the means to make an apartment?
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| Posted 2/27/08 10:00 AM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
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guess
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
I don't have a problem with apartments in someone's home. I rented one for 6+ years...it was/is a legal apartment.
My problem, especially now as a homeowner, is with illegal apartments. People are earning additional money - tax free?? I'm sorry, I don't care how many people are doing it...doesn't make it right - or fair or legal.
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| Posted 2/27/08 10:48 AM |
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Kara
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Diana1215
Posted by Kara
Posted by Diana1215
I am also curious to know - neither of you have friends or family who rent an illegal apartment on LI? Do you tell them that they should suck it up and buy a house they can't afford? Or, do you tell them that they should move out of state?
Do you have family that rents out an apartment in their house illegally? You should tell them that they should move out of state or downsize because of it. I'm sure that would go over well.
I don't see what the problem with living within one's means is.
But what about when circumstances change? Should the homeowners just up and sell their homes because one lost their job? If they have the means to make an apartment?
Homeowners with changing circumstances should find means to deal with their circumstances that are within the bounds of the law.
Losing a job is often a temporary situation, one I hope wouldn't cost someone their home. (One can work with their mortgage company on their payments if they are having trouble, etc.) However, if someone's financial circumstances change so much that they cannot afford their home any longer without breaking the law, then they need to find a legal way to deal with that problem -- including selling if necessary. Breaking the law isn't the solution. If you want an apartment in your home, fine, but do it legally.
Why should anyone be above the law, letting those of us who play by the rules subsidize your illegal behavior?  I work hard for my money, too!
Life / money hasn't always been (nor is it now necessarily) easy for me. I've been through rough times, as have my family members. We've managed to survive without resorting to breaking the law. It's not that I have no sympathy for people in these situations. As I said, you think it's not going to rip me apart to see my parents have to sell their home sometime soon? It will. I just don't think these situations warrant breaking the law. If I couldn't afford my home, I'd find legal ways to deal with that problem (including selling if necessary). I'd hope others would do the same.
If people REALLY want to do something about the housing problems on LI, they should be working with their local government officials to find and implement solutions.
And let's face it -- towns have offered amnesty in the past to owners of illegal apartments with very poor response. Why? The owners didn't want to pay the taxes they should legally be paying on their property with an apartment. If you're offered an opportunity to make your apartment legal (with no penalty for having it illegally in the first place) and turn it down... Well, that speaks volumes.
Message edited 2/27/2008 11:03:03 AM.
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| Posted 2/27/08 10:58 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
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That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Spinoff on renting part of your house
Posted by Diana1215
There are illegal apartments everywhere. Why should *I* not do it - when there are say 15 others on my surrounding blocks? If/When LI cracks down on apartments - then sure - I will have no problem not renting mine.
So just because everyone else is breaking the law, that means you should to? This is a horrible way to look at the situation.
Not only are you cheating the town out of additional property taxes, but you are cheating your state and federal government out of additional taxes. Last time I checked tax evasion is a felony.
You said your tenant doesn't use the schools. Does he use the garbage pickup? Does he flush his toilet and use the sewer system along with the rest of the utilities?
Hell i'll take it one step further, does he use and share your existing cable account? If so then if Cablevision finds out they WILL come after you.
And you think this is OK because you don't want to send your child to daycare?
It's one thing to at least admit that you are doing something wrong. But to try to justify an illegal action because of your child (when you openly say you can afford the house without the tenant) is just wrong IMO.
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| Posted 2/27/08 11:00 AM |
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