Unpaid Violations? How to Handle DOB and ECB Penalties
As a property owner in New York City, you run the risk of being in violation of hundreds of zoning, construction, environmental, sanitation, and general safety codes. From failing to clean your side walk to a more serious situation such as an Immediately Hazardous Violation, failing to resolve these violations on the first go-round can get you into some serious hot water with New York’s Department of Buildings and the Environmental Control Board.
Not to mention the fact that you could be putting tenants and workers in serious danger. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at what happened to this property in Brooklyn.
In a lot of cases, you may simply be unaware the property you recently purchased came with old violations. To avoid this S & M can help you with property violation research. But, if you find yourself with unpaid violations, it will cost you.
If you fail to pay a violation due to negligence or simply not knowing you have one, the Environmental Control Board (ECB) will manage your case and a hearing will be scheduled. Failure to attend a hearing will result in a default. This means you could found in violation, i.e. guilty, and the maximum penalty is usually imposed. In some cases a penalty can be as high at $25,000!
Not only can the ECB issue these penalties (known as a Civil Penalty) the DOB can also issue a separate Civil Penalty and you could be required to pay even more.
In order to resolve all initial violations and ECB civil penalties, you or a representative must appear in ECB court, or a representative can also handle hearings for you by mail in many violation cases. S & M Expediting specializes in this type of representation and can help you manage all unresolved violations before they turn into expensive civil penalties.
It’s important to remember that failure to pay violations will result in a judgement against you by the Civil Court of New York City. In addition, New York City’s Department of Finance may also start collection activities for all default violations.
Keep your property out of legal trouble—call S & M today.