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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Debate
legal vs illegal apartments
Would you rent an illegal one. Do you think it's wrong?
discuss.
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Posted 6/26/07 11:39 AM  |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Debate
Sadly, I don't think its wrong because I'm a Suffolk gal and have had a ton of friends that have lived in illegal apt's. When towns like Smithtown don't allow in home apt's (ie legal two family, etc), what other options do folks have? In Suffolk it is so frequent. I think every block in Suffolk has a least 1 illegal apt.
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| Posted 6/26/07 11:44 AM |
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shiv
Twinsanity!!
Member since 5/07 4747 total posts
Name:
Shiv
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Re: Debate
i don't think its wrong, but if something goes wrong, insurance may not cover it so it's risky. there's too many resticitions, in order to get affordable rentals on LI, illegal apts almost have to exist.
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| Posted 6/26/07 11:45 AM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: Debate
As a renter, I didn't mind - I was more concerned with having a roof over my head.
As an owner, I prefer LEGAL apartments. I think it fosters less of a transient area than when the apartments are illegal.
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| Posted 6/26/07 11:48 AM |
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LIMOMx2
...
Member since 5/05 24989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Debate
I did rent an illegal apartment when I was younger.
But as I grew up and owned my own home I am against them.
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| Posted 6/26/07 11:54 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Debate
Posted by 5ofClubs
I did rent an illegal apartment when I was younger.
But as I grew up and owned my own home I am against them.
what would you have done when you rented then if you couldn't find a legal one you could afford?
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| Posted 6/26/07 12:02 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Debate
Its such a hard topic.. In theory, I don't really mind them and if I had rented on LI there is a good probability I would have lived in one.
However, when you think about it, the people who own these illegal apartmentst are not paying the appropriate taxes for a two or more family house, which is really unfair.
Then you get the situations where because the house is rented as an apartment buildings (like a one-family house having three apartments) and the owner doesn't take care of the house at all and its such a blight on the neighborhood. Plus they are paying taxes for a one-family house, not a three family.
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| Posted 6/26/07 12:17 PM |
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Kissy331
My two miracles!
Member since 5/06 17826 total posts
Name:
Kristen
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Re: Debate
As a homeowner I am against them! It annoys me that someone has maybe 1 or 2 families living in their home & paying the same tax as me. I believe that if you have illegal apartments, you are not considered a 1 family dwelling & should be taxed that way!!
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| Posted 6/26/07 12:17 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Debate
I am really in favor of illegal apartments. I feel like what or who lives in your house really should be nobodys business. A lot of people couldn't afford to stay on LI without the help from the extra income.
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| Posted 6/26/07 12:25 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Debate
Posted by JandJ1224
I am really in favor of illegal apartments. I feel like what or who lives in your house really should be nobodys business. A lot of people couldn't afford to stay on LI without the help from the extra income.
this is exactly how I feel. Although our taxes are high here it's almost a catch 22. Some can't afford a house here but want to stay here, so they make an apartment in their house so they can offset the mortgage and taxes. If they were taxed more for the dwelling then it wouldn't pay to have the apartment.
I've lived in illegal apartments before I bought and I am for them. My area is full of these apartments and it has not hurt the town and the way the homes are maintaned. Some of them have the owners there too. That helps.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:12 PM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: Debate
Posted by JandJ1224
I am really in favor of illegal apartments. I feel like what or who lives in your house really should be nobodys business. A lot of people couldn't afford to stay on LI without the help from the extra income.
I'm sorry but I don't see how this rationale makes sense. It is illegal - if caught, the owner can get into a lot of trouble and have to pay out a lot of money.
Would you encourage stealing? I think it's the same thing.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:22 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Debate
I just feel like if one family has 5 people living in a house, or if there is a house with an illegal apt with a family of 4 and a single person renting an apt, really what is the difference? Why should that house have to pay more in taxes.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:31 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Debate
Posted by ~Colleen~
Posted by JandJ1224
I am really in favor of illegal apartments. I feel like what or who lives in your house really should be nobodys business. A lot of people couldn't afford to stay on LI without the help from the extra income.
I'm sorry but I don't see how this rationale makes sense. It is illegal - if caught, the owner can get into a lot of trouble and have to pay out a lot of money.
Would you encourage stealing? I think it's the same thing.
also the problem I state above- we have a house next door to us that has three apartments in it. Stupid us didn't see in when we looked at the house. But the house is kept in horrible condition, shingles falling off, disgusting door, they don't mow the lawn, that sort of stuff. And becauset there are three families living there, there are cars for three families in the driveway and parked in front of the house.
Should that be allowed?
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:32 PM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: Debate
Posted by JandJ1224
I just feel like if one family has 5 people living in a house, or if there is a house with an illegal apt with a family of 4 and a single person renting an apt, really what is the difference? Why should that house have to pay more in taxes.
Making the apartment legsl is also beneficial to the renter - it insures that the apartment is up to code, for one thing.
It makes a difference, b/c that's the law. A family of 5 is doing it on their own...the family of 4 with the renter is getting suplemental income that is not being taxed. How is that fair to the family of 5 that may be struggling, however doing it LEGALLY??
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:36 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Debate
there are plenty of people who don't have an apartment in their house that don't keep up with maintaining it.
Also, what if a family lives in a house and there are several adult children still living at home and working and driving their own cars?
I don't consider it stealing. If there are working people paying taxes like the rest of us, then I'm fine with it.
I did it for many years, and I wouldn't be able to afford a legal apartment back then. It kept me on LI and now I own a home, I pay more taxes and I contribute to the community and commerce more so. I contributed before with my income taxes and I supported local business which helped commerce and the community.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:38 PM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Debate
The house we are buying (Hi-Ranch), you can have a tenant with permit. So every year you have to pay for the permit. I think I would rather pay for the permit. The apartment income pays for the permit in less then a month, so it's no big deal to us. I don't want my neighbors telling on us and then we get in trouble. I also want someone in my apartment that I trust to be there, so I will probably go through a RE so they can look into their credit and such. Don't get me wrong, I have lived in illegal apartments before, but it's so hard to find legal apartments and when you do they are costly sometimes. It's a shame that so many people have to have tenants to afford their homes on LI. I doesn't seem fair when someone rents out their whole house and doesn't take care of it, it brings down the value of the neighborhood. The house we are buying is a mess and I know that the neighbors can't wait for someone else to move in there and take care of it and they don't have renters.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:40 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Debate
I am not in favor of breaking laws, I will say that I don't think having an apt. in your house should be illegal.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:41 PM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: Debate
Posted by Blu-ize
I don't consider it stealing. If there are working people paying taxes like the rest of us, then I'm fine with it.
If they are not claiming the apartment, then thay are not claiming the income being made on that apartment therefore they are not paying taxes like the rest of us. They are scamming the system to benefit themselves.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:43 PM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: Debate
Posted by JandJ1224
I am not in favor of breaking laws, I will say that I don't think having an apt. in your house should be illegal.
It is not illegal if you follow procedure and apply for the proper permit. There are towns that allow legal apartments in your home.
Message edited 6/26/2007 1:45:31 PM.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:45 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Debate
Ok, I don't think having an apt. in your house should be illegal, and I don't think you should have to pay for a permit, or pay extra taxes because of it.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:46 PM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: Debate
Posted by JandJ1224
Ok, I don't think having an apt. in your house should be illegal, and I don't think you should have to pay for a permit, or pay extra taxes because of it.
So you're OK with your neighbor making money on the side and not claiming it on his taxes? How is that fair to you or anyone else who is working hard to maintain their lifestyle - legally? 
Not to mention it totally screws with the censuses within the town.
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| Posted 6/26/07 1:48 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Debate
Posted by ~Colleen~
Posted by Blu-ize
I don't consider it stealing. If there are working people paying taxes like the rest of us, then I'm fine with it.
If they are not claiming the apartment, then thay are not claiming the income being made on that apartment therefore they are not paying taxes like the rest of us. They are scamming the system to benefit themselves.
These people are paying taxes. They are also paying income and sales taxes as well as property taxes. They share their home. They are actually living in only a portion of their home making a sacrifice so they can afford to live there. I have absolutely no problem with it and I am a homeowner. If the home is maintained, the people living there are not criminals and they don't ruin my property..I say go for it.
I'm sure that a lot of the people that have an apartment in their homes do it to help them afford the mortgage. Otherwise, they would still be renting or moving off LI. LI is an extremely expensive place to live and some people would not have the ability to own a home here if not for an apartment. Sometimes these apartments keep families together. I know that if DH would agree to it, I would buy a house with an apartment in it so my parents could be close by. It would also be more economically beneficial to us to do that considering the tax deduction rather than just paying rent somewhere else for them.
Very few places outside of the metro area have illegal apartments. Most other places have affordable apartment complexes. We don't have that here. There is a need and it's fulfilled.
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| Posted 6/26/07 3:29 PM |
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MeNBobs
*****
Member since 4/07 3765 total posts
Name:
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Re:
Message edited 7/16/2011 3:44:59 PM.
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| Posted 6/26/07 3:48 PM |
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Karen
Just chillin'!!
Member since 1/06 9690 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Debate
Posted by ~Colleen~
Posted by JandJ1224
Ok, I don't think having an apt. in your house should be illegal, and I don't think you should have to pay for a permit, or pay extra taxes because of it.
So you're OK with your neighbor making money on the side and not claiming it on his taxes? How is that fair to you or anyone else who is working hard to maintain their lifestyle - legally?
Not to mention it totally screws with the censuses within the town.
Plus - who is paying to educate the children of the illegal renters? You are, everytime your taxes go up and other people aren't paying their fair share!!
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| Posted 6/26/07 4:29 PM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Debate
I agree with Colleen - having an illegal apartment and not reporting the income is STEALING. It is a form of tax evasion and it is illegal for a reason. If someone runs an all cash business and doesnt declare that income - that is the same thing, and that is stealing too. And they are not stealing from the government - they are stealing from you and me! We are payng for the infastructure of our communities that those people use for free. Maybe someone should do an analysis on how much your taxes would all go down if the illegal apartments actually reported their income and paid the increased taxes associated with their property. Then maybe you would realize why it's totally unfair. And then maybe Long Island would be a little bit more affordable for the rest of us!!!!
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| Posted 6/26/07 4:33 PM |
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