"The offering plan report for the building is absolutely fantastic! In fact, I enjoyed reading it—it made perfect sense. As always, many thanks."
Jeff Garson
Jeffrey Garson Property Corporation
Rand News
New York City Phases Out No. 6 Heating Oil
Under Local Law 43, all buildings burning No. 6 heating oil will be required to switch to a cleaner fuel alternative by 2015. The options: No. 4 oil (good until 2030), No. 2 oil, or gas. A summary of the options for converting, including rebate programs to help defray the costs.
City Proposes Extensions to West End-Collegiate and Riverside-West End Historic Districts
Buildings located in the proposed expansion areas, which if approved will triple the size of the existing districts, must undergo the LPC approval process for most exterior and interior alteration projects.
Cooling Down Your Overheated Apartment
Even when it's freezing outside, your apartment can feel like a furnace. Rand's Principal Peter Varsalona explains to BrickUnderground what causes the overheating and what to do—and what not to do—about it.
New Benchmarking Law Requires Owners to Submit Energy Usage
New York City Local Law 84/09
mandates that property owners submit an annual analysis of their energy usage using an online benchmarking tool created by the EPA. The first year's deadline is May 1, 2011.
The 7 Worst Places to Live in a Building
Few people have a better view of the hidden troubles inside New York City apartment buildings than an engineer. Rand's Principal Peter Varsalona gives BrickUnderground the lowdown on which spots inside a building pose the greatest potential for problems.
The Top 7 Construction Defects
BrickUnderground interviews Rand's Principal Peter Varsalona on the types of deficiencies often found in newly built properties. The hit list includes leaks, windows that don't work, bad ventilation, and inferior substitutions, among others.
Learn to Spot Building Defects Before Buying
In this NY1 Real Estate report, Rand's Principal Peter Varsalona discusses common problems prospective buyers should look out for when purchasing an apartment in a newly constructed condominium.
New York City's New Energy Efficiency Legislation
The City's Greener, Greater Buildings Plan includes four new Local Laws for benchmarking, energy audits and retro-commissioning, lighting and submetering, and a more stringent Energy Conservation Code.
Changes to Local Law 11/98 Facade Inspections
The New York City Department of Buildings instituted a host of changes for the 7th Cycle of the facade inspection law. Chief among them is a new staggered schedule of filing windows beginning in February 2010.
Federal Tax Credits for Window and Door Replacements
As part of the economic stimulus package, co-op and condo boards are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit up to $1,500 on energy-saving improvements to their properties, including new windows and doors.
Rand Partners with NYSERDA for Energy-Efficient Buildings
As a Multifamily Performance Partner, RAND conducts energy audits to help property owners improve the operational efficiency of their buildings and obtain NYSERDA funding for capital improvement projects.
Tax Credit for Green Roofs
The New York State Legislature recently approved a property tax credit for building owners who install green roofs.
Dismantling the Scaffolding
Staggering the filing deadlines for New York City Local Law 11/98 facade inspections will ease the scramble for engineers, architects, contractors, and sidewalk sheds.
A Little Leeway on Facade Repairs
New York City building owners who file their 6th cycle Local Law 11/98 inspection reports early can buy themselves a little time before erecting a sidewalk shed and making repairs.
Facade Report Time, With a Difference
A change in New York City's Local Law 11/98 now requires potential safety problems listed in a building's previous facade inspection report to be addressed before a new report is filed.
Lack of Luxury
In its survey of a high-rise condominium, Rand conducted a thorough inspection and produced detailed findings in a case handled by the New York State Attorney General's office.