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

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

Yes, but then you, rather than the super, would have to do the waiting.

The upshot is, neither apartment dwelling nor home owning is all beer and skittles.

[lcohen]

boy howdy.

(my furnace went out twice this winter.)