For Immediate Release
March 3, 2015

BUILDINGS EXTENDS HOURS FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RESIDENTS NIGHT

Borough Offices Now Remain Open Until 7pm Every Tuesday to Assist Owners and Renters on Construction Issues and Advise of Rights and Responsibilities of Renters and Owners

The NYC Department of Buildings is keeping its doors open later, extending weekly Homeowners and Residents Night to 7:00 pm, beginning March 3, 2015. This expanded service will make it easier for more New Yorkers to access the Agency's after-hours, one-on-one support and take advantage of the expertise available from Department professionals.

During the weekly Homeowners and Residents Night, New Yorkers can obtain:

• Advice on home construction plans, including the permitting process;
• Information on how to check a contractor's license status;
• Guidance on reducing energy costs by weatherizing residences; Instructions on how to resolve Department-issued violations;
• Recommendations on steps to take before purchasing a home or signing a lease;
• Direction on how to secure or amend a property's Certificate of Occupancy;
• Permit guidelines for common home improvements, such as kitchen renovations and backyard shed installation; and
• Guidance on using the Buildings Information System (BIS) to search property history and permit information.

No advanced appointment is required to receive this support. Homeowners and residents are invited to simply visit to their local Department of Buildings' borough office and meet with a plan examiner or other professionals available to answer questions.

These individual sessions are a great, cost-free way for homeowners and residents to gain valuable assistance in planning construction projects or securing property information. They also provide the opportunity for homeowners and tenants to better understand the rights of renters and responsibilities of property owners.

Homeowners Nights hours will be scheduled from 4:00pm to 7:00pm every Tuesday at the Department of Buildings' Borough Office in all five boroughs:

Manhattan Borough Office
280 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10007

Bronx Borough Office
1932 Arthur Ave., 5th Fl.
Bronx, NY 10457

Queens Borough Office
120-55 Queens Blvd.
Kew Gardens, NY 11424

Brooklyn Borough Office
210 Joralemon Street, 8th Fl.
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Staten Island Borough Office
10 Richmond Terrace, Borough Hall, 2nd Fl.
SI, NY 10301

Contact: Alexander Schnell (212) 393-2053
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