Heating problems

[redbird]

Our building has had no heat or hot water since last night. There's a hand-written sign next to the elevator, dated last night, which just says "No heat. Boiler broken."

I just called the city of New York's main non-emergency number. Before you get to talk to someone, it tells you (a) if this is an emergency, please hang up and dial 911, followed by (b) alternate side of the street parking is in effect today and tomorrow. Then it connected me (quickly) to someone who asked me a couple of questions, and transferred me to "a specialist in the Department of Housing Preservation and Development." [I assume this is the old heat complaints line.]

That specialist took the information, including my phone number and name (yes, in that order), the borough, address, that we have neither heat nor hot water, and that the landlord is aware of the problem. (I base this on the sign in the super's handwriting.) She asked the name of the management company, which I gave her. Then she asked if we had a specific contact there. Yes, but I don't remember his name, it's Joseph something. "Joseph Lipson?" she asked me. Okay, that saved time and trouble, but I'm not at all sure it's a good sign. Ditto for her telling me that it's okay if I don't have this number handy, they have numbers for Samson Management.

[Anyone who responds to this by telling me to buy a house will be asked to contribute the down payment.]

Comments

[treadpath.livejournal.com]

That sucks!!! We had a situation here last year where the boiler broke unfixably and had to be replaced in the middle of January during the big deep freeze. Fortunately, we had bought a portable non-exposed element electric heater a few years back, and could huddle 'round that for warmth, but the drafty windows nearly did us in. All better this year--new boiler, new windows. Still have the heater just in case, though.

Just read your next post--glad to hear the heat's back on! :)