Actual newspaper listing, August 7, 1999
Actual newspaper listing, August 7, 1999

The colonial style home in the Creedmoor Civic area has a cellar, not a basement, as defined by the NYC Department of Building standards. There is no way to make a cellar apartment legal.

Many times a home is sold with the understanding by the buyer that the "basement apartment" can be rented out, usually to a single person, or a young couple. The rent is then collected, tax free.
Many buyers could not afford to pay the mortgage if they couldn't depend on the $800-1100 a month in additional, tax-free money.

Many times this renter brings his car, taking up one more parking space in the street.
The driveway is usually reserved for the homeowner's vehicle.

Some of the tell-tale signs of an illegal cellar apartment are:

Additional doorbells
Additional mailboxes
Additional electric meters
Extra trash on pickup days
Less parking spaces available on your block

What does this mean to the other residents of the block?
Fewer parking spaces. Less water pressure. More kids in the schools. Noisier evenings.

If you live within the borders of the Creedmoor Civic Association neighborhood, and you suspect there is an illegal rental on your block, you can report it to the Department of Buildings (call 311), or, you can contact one of the officers of the Creedmoor Civic Association at 718 464-3369, and the complaint will be issued in the name of the Association. 

Reports to the Association can no longer be taken anonymously, but the original complainant's name will never be issued to either the DOB or the person who the complaint is filed against.
 
 
 

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