All Forum Posts by: Keely Aldinger

@Lien Vuong in the process of pursuing this by getting a roof estimate and report but have just come up with the contact information for the neighboring building this week. The building has just been listed for sale. We may be interested in purchasing -- but aside from that is there anything we need to do quickly so these issues are resolved/addressed before the sale?

@Lien Vuong Thank you for the welcome!! And yay neighbor!! Hope to meet you!

@Joe Splitrock white is a bit tricky though and looks very different (warm or cool) depending on the light that apartments get. I haven’t seen many ppl who are not extremely design interested/motivated get white “right” in a way most others appreciate it. So while white is definitely on its way in, choosing the correct white is daunting and not for the unenthusiastic or aesthetically challenged. It’s not a “safe” color choice

I think the most important aspect is that the paint tone chosen is neutral (same for flooring). So that all furniture and decor will match for the tenants…keeps it open to the maximum number of potential occupants

@Lynnette E. ah BLINK! That was the brand I couldn't think of that I knew had battery operation. Thank you!! 

Storage in the basement is prohibited on their lease, but good thought. And yes the lock with one time access logged access options will be crucial to any loss of property. A camera would really only be able to corroborate the missing items but would not return them...or potentially give insight as to how/when the space is being misused. I think the presence of the new lock with limiting access will deter the kids. And ultimately, the parents are parenting if they feel the need to hide anything in the basement. 

This is a good interim fix, I won't be obligated to allow access after the circuit breaker is moved to their unit. 

I am seeking recommendations for a structural engineer in the Chelsea, MA area. Any expectations on what this will entail and if I should have a contractor lined up already to be there for any engineering assessment so they can be on the same page -- I would appreciate it. 

@Joe Splitrock it is a bit more complicated than pot pipes, though that is legal in MA. Sending a notice is fine and good, but so far has not resolved the issue. And since we are moving in, our bikes and tools not being stolen is our number one priority -- so I want it to be clear that the space is monitored and access can be proven. 

This is a 100+ yr old brownstone, the layout of the basement does not allow for storage cages and with the 3 boilers, water heaters, and where the utilities/sewer line etc are arranged there isn't a way to accommodate storage without blocking access to the circuit breakers, meters, or the basement's bulkhead doors. Basement storage is very uncommon in this area and would be a continued nuisance for us re: pest control, utility replacement, and addressing the work we have planned on the building which includes structural work in the basement. 

I like the Schlage wifi locks also, though the wifi enabled ones don't have a one time use code. If you have more than one Schlage wifi lock on your property can you set accessibility to the locks to be different by user? I haven't been able to confirm that online but if that is the case I think that will be the way to go.

And agree on security as well but the wired system recommended by a member here will need at least some direction from an electrician-- which we are already in queue for. I think the WYZE wireless will be a good interim budget solution but I don't think it will prevent loss of property or alleviate the concern without the accompanying lock on the basement door. 

@Bruce Woodruff thank you. That's helpful to have confirmed, it certainly felt like it shouldn't be the case. I'm surprised the inspector only pointed it out and said that we shouldn't allow that--but nothing more firm. Though, at the time, it appeared the roof was sound.

Question:
Do you use a smart lock to monitor access to shared spaces or utility areas of the property to avoid persistent use but allow access by tenants?

Background:
I am in Chelsea, MA and in the process of moving into the 3 family house we bought this summer. The basement is mostly empty and we would like to keep it that way. Since closing we have found a few items stashed down there that makes us think the teenagers who live in one of the units are accessing it. There has also been a few items and snow tires stored since then belonging to the parent of unit 1. Because of that and that we would like to store our tools there when we move in -- we would like to limit access -- though we are okay with the seasonal tires.

Unit 1 is the only unit whose circuit breaker is in the basement and therefore require access by law. This is also the unit with the teenagers. Circuit breaker flipping is a rare occurrence and when I asked, my tenant can't remember an instance she has needed to do so. Still of course, we want to fully comply with the law for access.

Until we can get an electrician on site to relocate this panel upstairs in their unit, is there a keypad access lock that comes to mind that issues 1x use codes and provides a notification to me when it is used? This way I can provide the tenant 1-2 codes for single use, and send new codes in the event she needs to use them. Since they are single use codes rather than a blanket access code I don't have to worry about the code being shared with children or at least if they are shared and it becomes frequent I can question the tenant about the necessity. Ideally the lock would be wifi access or the bridging etc is easy. It seems like many smart locks have too many bells and whistles for this application.

Because the basement currently can be accessed by anyone -- I don't want to make any assumptions about who has left things hidden in my basement ceiling or who may or may not be trying to smoke in a basement with natural gas heating fixtures. I just want to stop it from happening and also be able to store our bikes and tools securely. 

Also planning to set up a camera in the basement. Potentially a temporary solution until I can discuss wiring for outdoor cameras and flood lights with electrician is the WYZE wireless battery operated cameras. But I'm open to other suggestions!

Tenants are inherited.
Basement is not needed for 2nd egress.

Thanks for any advice! 

Thank you @Lien Vuong! If I may ask for another piece of advice:
The property is in Chelsea, MA -- but the same rules apply for contact so I'll look to gain entry there to find a more direct number.

In the mean time, do you think I should get an estimate for any work that needs to be done on my side of the roof? Or to state in writing that their side of the roof, having no drainage installed and the only pitch directs it towards our roof/the parapet divider that this is causing our current leakage? 

I definitely want to get this attended to as quickly as possible. Since I am new I'm not sure what trouble I will have to go to to "prove" this is causing the damage. And since they have a flat roof with no drain, I don't know if that in itself is enough to lay blame -- since code requires a drain on the neighbor's roof.

Thanks again!