Uncategorized – Jack Jaffa & Associates https://www.jackjaffa.com NYC Compliance Fri, 20 May 2022 02:22:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.9 https://www.jackjaffa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/jaffa-favicon.png Uncategorized – Jack Jaffa & Associates https://www.jackjaffa.com 32 32 161912740 Why property management is Going Digital and you should too https://www.jackjaffa.com/why-property-management-is-going-digital-and-you-should-too/ Fri, 20 May 2022 02:10:10 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=34838 The post Why property management is Going Digital and you should too appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

There’s no denying it. The world is going digital. And in the world of property management, it’s no different. Some of the biggest property managers firms have already switched to mobile management and are enjoying the benefits of a quicker, more streamlined inspection process. Our clients already on the app are blown away by how much the apps’ capabilities are making their compliance, especially inspections EASIER, BETTER & LESS STRESSFUL.

If you’re ready to digitize your compliance management, ask a Jaffa representative about the Jaffa defined app or DOWNLOAD it today. Want to see how our app works? Check out our Video tutorials HERE for a quick run-through of all the Jaffa deFINEd features and functions.

The post Why property management is Going Digital and you should too appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
34838
What is the easiest way to perform Unit Inspections? https://www.jackjaffa.com/what-is-the-easiest-way-to-perform-unit-inspections/ Fri, 20 May 2022 02:06:24 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=34836 The post What is the easiest way to perform Unit Inspections? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

Some inspection forms can seriously put a cramp in your hand for all the writing you need to do. With an in-app inspection, many tasks are as easy as pressing yes or no to the provided questions. Plus, the ability to take pictures in the app, obtain signatures, and upload files, allow you to easily have all the information right where you need it.

The post What is the easiest way to perform Unit Inspections? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
34836
How do I get more work done, anywhere and at any time? https://www.jackjaffa.com/how-do-i-get-more-work-done-anywhere-and-at-any-time/ Fri, 20 May 2022 02:02:33 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=34834 The post How do I get more work done, anywhere and at any time? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

Insomnia got you tossing and turning at 3 a.m.? Stuck on the train for a half-hour ride in rush hour traffic? Instead of battling with frustration over the wasted time, you can use the opportunity to get some work done! Review and approve recent inspections, communicate with team members about an ongoing job, or simply look over your schedule for the next month or week to see what’s coming up on the compliance calendar.

When your office is in your pocket, you can get work done anywhere and at any time.

The post How do I get more work done, anywhere and at any time? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
34834
What is the best way to stay on top of unit inspections? https://www.jackjaffa.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-stay-on-top-of-unit-inspections/ Fri, 20 May 2022 01:59:37 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=34832 The post What is the best way to stay on top of unit inspections? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

Managing a large team of employees is always challenging. When those employees are spread across several sites, proper oversight becomes next to impossible.

Again, it’s the mobile management model to the rescue! When operations are centralized in one online platform, checking on a team member’s work is a matter of a few swipes—and employee management is easy again. You can check up on anyone at any time and review and appraise all kinds of jobs as they’re being completed in real-time.

When your team is working through a multi-step inspection process, centralized oversight is key to its success. Nothing can fall through the cracks when it comes to inspections. With a digitized process and employee oversight at your fingertips, it doesn’t.

The post What is the best way to stay on top of unit inspections? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
34832
What is the best way to Record and Track your Unit Inspections? https://www.jackjaffa.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-record-and-track-unit-inspections/ Fri, 20 May 2022 01:57:06 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=34830 The post What is the best way to Record and Track your Unit Inspections? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

Do you spend half your workday searching for important files and forms? If you’d made the change to a digitized property management app, you wouldn’t have to. When your management is digitized, every filled-out form and captured photo is instantly recorded, tracked, and organized in your platform. There’s no longer a need to search through piles of papers to pull up the one you want; your tech tool will do the job for you with just a few swipes.

Plus, some property management apps, like the Jaffa deFINEd app, allow you to perform inspections directly in the app, so there isn’t any paperwork to fill out, file, scan, or find. That’s definitely saving you a lot of time, stress, and heartache.

Even more incredible, the Jaffa deFINEd app complies all the date from your inspections and auto-prepares all required city forms for a truly 1-step inspection process. These customized (there’s that magic word again) forms (you can check them out HERE) help you file your inspection reports with complete ease and assurance that nothing has been left out of your report.

The post What is the best way to Record and Track your Unit Inspections? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
34830
What property management tool allows me to maximize communication between On-site and In-Office Team Members? https://www.jackjaffa.com/what-property-management-tool-allows-me-to-maximize-communication-between-on-site-and-in-office-team-members/ Fri, 20 May 2022 01:53:26 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=34827 The post What property management tool allows me to maximize communication between On-site and In-Office Team Members? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

We’ve all heard that said a million times over but when you have team members on the ground or on-site and other team members in your office it’s easier said than done. But streamlining your communication between your team members throughout the unit inspection process is reason #3 that you should be going digital with this process.

 

You’ve got enough on your plate without being on-site at every building, all the time. And when you digitize your inspections, you no longer need to. When your team runs into a hurdle while getting a job done—and they will—they can instantly reach out to you and update you on the latest. You can view their progress on an app. Or, better yet, with apps such as the Jaffa deFINEd app, which automatically syncs their app with their online portal, you can even check the status, pictures, or files your team in the field has uploaded without even leaving your desk. Using an app, especially one integrated with a more comprehensive online portal, can help keep your entire team in the loop about the next step with one quick communication.

The post What property management tool allows me to maximize communication between On-site and In-Office Team Members? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
34827
How do I avoid Missing Steps in my Unit Inspection Process? https://www.jackjaffa.com/how-do-i-avoid-missing-steps-in-my-unit-inspection-process/ Fri, 20 May 2022 01:49:49 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=34825 The post How do I avoid Missing Steps in my Unit Inspection Process? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

Here’s yet another reason why you should consider switching your unit inspection process over to digital.

 

Your team is in the process of completing an inspection, and it’s Bob’s turn to do his job. There’s just one issue: Bob is out on sick leave, or maybe he’s sunning himself on a beach in Cancun. And no one knows the exact details about Bob’s role in the inspection process.

Digitizing your inspections means that every step of the process is clearly detailed and accessible to all team members. When one or more team members are out, you can still get the job done perfectly and on time, too. How’s that for a hassle-free inspection?

The post How do I avoid Missing Steps in my Unit Inspection Process? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
34825
Can Unit Inspections be customized on digital platforms? https://www.jackjaffa.com/can-unit-inspections-be-customized-on-digital-platforms/ Fri, 20 May 2022 01:45:14 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=34816 The post Can Unit Inspections be customized on digital platforms? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

If you haven’t yet jumped on the trend of making your inspections digital, you’re missing out. NYC biggest property managers have already switched over for digital for a number of reasons, starting with Customized Inspections

Does anything say easier to manage than the ability to customize? You and I both know that with inspections, there isn’t a one form fits all. Not only will inspections vary from property manager to property manager, but what you need to inspect will vary unit to unit. So why would you want to deal with tons of paperwork that has nothing to do with YOUR inspection.

Plus, there are so many times that your inspection is not just for one purpose.  After all, why would you visit the same apartment multiple times for multiple inspections if you don’t have to? Apps such as the Jaffa deFINEd app allow you to customize your inspection on their platform so you can choose what inspections you are performing and what information you need included. You can find out more about the Jaffa deFINEd app HERE.

With the Jaffa PredeFINEd Inspection module, you can even create, track and document preventative tasks and inspections on your properties and devices, such as inspections for elevators, boilers, backflow, sprinkler, water towers, cooling towers, HVAC systems, and so much more.

The app also allows you to customize the frequency of inspections, so you can enter precisely how often you need or want to inspect each item.

With the ability to customize the inspection according to YOUR needs, apps allow you to create in-app inspection forms that have everything you need to inspect without anything you don’t need.

The post Can Unit Inspections be customized on digital platforms? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
34816
What is the best way to Record and Track your Unit Inspections? https://www.jackjaffa.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-record-and-track-your-unit-inspections/ Mon, 11 Apr 2022 17:49:52 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=34680 The post What is the best way to Record and Track your Unit Inspections? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

Do you spend half your workday searching for important files and forms? If you’d made the change to a digitized property management app, you wouldn’t have to. When your management is digitized, every filled-out form and captured photo is instantly recorded, tracked, and organized in your platform. There’s no longer a need to search through piles of papers to pull up the one you want; your tech tool will do the job for you with just a few swipes.

Plus, some property management apps, like the Jaffa deFINEd app, allow you to perform inspections directly in the app, so there isn’t any paperwork to fill out, file, scan, or find. That’s definitely saving you a lot of time, stress, and heartache.

Even more incredible, the Jaffa deFINEd app complies all the date from your inspections and auto-prepares all required city forms for a truly 1-step inspection process. These customized (there’s that magic word again) forms (you can check them out HERE) help you file your inspection reports with complete ease and assurance that nothing has been left out of your report.

The post What is the best way to Record and Track your Unit Inspections? appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
34680
Violation Issues You Might Run Into with Vacation Rental Services https://www.jackjaffa.com/violation-issues-you-might-run-into-with-vacation-rental-services/ Fri, 21 Jun 2019 20:20:37 +0000 https://www.jackjaffa.com/?p=33703 This past winter, a $21 Million lawsuit was filed against a group of real estate brokers for renting out illegal...

The post Violation Issues You Might Run Into with Vacation Rental Services appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>

This past winter, a $21 Million lawsuit was filed against a group of real estate brokers for renting out illegal Airbnb apartments in Manhattan. The news of this lawsuit, the largest of its kind ever brought by the city. sent waves of shock through the landlord community in New York City.

And if you think this was a one-time thing, think again. In other incidents, 20 apartment owners in a West Side condo building were raided and slapped with similar violations and even a private two-family house which converted an extra apartment in the basement into a rental, was issued four violations in total and a whopping $183,000 in fines, with additional violations and fines still pending.

From these violations, one thing is definitely clear: the city is cracking down hard on property owners who disregard the law and rent out their units on sites like Airbnb, VBRO, and Home Away.

If you’re still not convinced, consider this: in April, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio allocated $2.9 million in funding to Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) over the next two years, and stressed that the fund be spent mostly on “illegal hotel enforcement.” Soon after, the OSE expanded their special enforcement task force from 27 members to 47.  Also, fines for violations of this law have increased by $5000 – $15000 increased over the last few months. Low fines are now a thing of the past.

With the summer tourist season at its peak and vacation rentals at an all-time high, make sure the next news item isn’t about you.  If you’re a building- or condo-owner, it’s a good idea to know what your tenants are up to, because you may be liable for any illegal vacation rental that occurs on your property. If you suspect that one of your tenants may be renting out their units this summer, it’s time to take action.

Here’s what you need to know to make sure you’re not in violation:

What does the law say about short-term rentals?

First, it’s crucial that you know exactly what is legal and what is not with regards to short-term rentals in NYC.

  • According to the law, it is illegal for all New Yorkers who live in buildings with three or more residential units to rent their apartments out for less than 30 days. The only exception to this law is if the owner or leaseholder of the unit is present during the entire stay. This law makes nearly all temporary summer rentals illegal.
  • Rent-stabilized buildings have specific restrictions for how much residents can charge renters on sites like Airbnb.
  • Co-ops cannot allow short-term leases at all. Again, this means all summer rentals are out.
  • Condo owners can’t forbid leasing completely but the bylaws require minimum and maximum lease terms and have complicated rules against vacation rentals.
  • Single-family homes are restricted by zoning laws and likely require modifications to their Certificate of Occupancy and/or architectural changes in order to be lawfully rented out.

What kinds of penalties are issued for unlawfully sub-leasing a short-term rental unit?

The primary violation of short-term rentals in most units is an occupancy violation for transient use. From there, it can snowball into loads of other issues and violations, leading to huge fines and even eviction in extreme cases. Tenants and building owners might mistakenly think they are following the rental laws, but are unaware that they are non-compliant with countless NYC building and zoning laws.

The Class of the violations being issued depends on how many units are proven to be rented out on a transient basis.

If only one unit is found to be rented out transiently, the owner will be issued a Class 2 violation which includes a base penalty that can be mitigated by proof of correction before the first scheduled hearing.

If two or more units are found to be rented illegally, a Class 1 violation will be issued, which includes a base penalty of $15,000 plus $1000 per day up to 45 days, for a total of $60,000 in fines.

In addition to those massive fines, a unit that is rented out on a transient basis, now falls into the class of a hotel and has loads of other building codes and zoning laws in place which the owner might not even be aware of. In both a Class 1 and Class 2 violation, noncompliance with hotel laws can trigger additional and hefty fines and violations.

These laws include:

  • A fire escape is not deemed a second means of egress for hotels.
  • Fire alarms in hotels must be code issue.
  • Hotels must have proper sprinkler systems in place.

To make it even more troubling, the courts have ruled that owners with a Class 2 occupancy violation can still be hit with Class 1 code violations. You can also move from a Class 2 to a Class 1 violation if you are found to be a repeat offender.

Plus, if the inspector who raids your building has extra time on their hands, they may vey likely find more code violations to slap onto your building.

Don’t think you are safe from these penalties and violations if you never post any of your units on Airbnb and similar sites. You are responsible for every tenant in your building, and if one of them is unlawfully renting out a unit on a temporary basis this summer you’ll be the one who winds up paying all the associated fees and penalties.

How can I determine whether my tenants are renting out their units?

In recent violations at the 500-unit Atelier Tower, the owners themselves became aware of the illegal rentals and notified the proper authorities.

Here are some clues that helped them identify the illegal activity which you can look for within your own units:

  • Suitcases frequently rolling down hallways
  • Individuals who are not residents of the building constantly coming and going
  • Tourists in full vacation gear crowding the common areas
  • The absence of the regular tenant from the building for extended periods of time

Don’t let an illegal rental ruin your summer. Make sure you are aware of everything that is going on in your rental units so you don’t get slapped with heavy fines and penalties. Wishing you a happy, healthy and violation-free summer from all of us here at Jack Jaffa & Associates.

The post Violation Issues You Might Run Into with Vacation Rental Services appeared first on Jack Jaffa & Associates.

]]>
33703