I feel like changing things up a bit so this article has a movie script spin. Today’s true crime in real estate is The Case of The Vanishing Hole.
True Crimes: The Case of the Vanishing Hole
Cue spooky sound effects and music
Opening scene: A woman reports to HPD (Housing Preservation Department) in New York that there a hole in her wall and that the landlord will not fix it.
She states that she has told the owner about this over many months but still nothing has been done.
The intake person is sympathetic to her plight and dispatches an inspector. Sure enough, there is a hole in the wall. (cue music dant, dant, daaa)
He makes a note of its locations–middle of north-west wall–and nothing else.
The owner receives a notice to repair the breach immediately. A violation placed on the building.
End Scene?
The Plot Thickens…
Now here’s where it gets good and keep in mind this is a true story.
This is the first time that the owner has heard of this hole. The owner had just been to the apartment earlier in the month to collect the rent. As his habit, he inspected the apartment. No mention on any hole.
Nonetheless, our intrepid owner heads over to the apartment and confronts the tenant. To his surprise, she states, “ I don’t know what they are talking about. Look for yourself there’s no hole.”
Sure enough, there is no hole. The kids are sitting on a couch next to the wall listed in the report. There are pictures all over the wall but no hole. The owner leaves.
One month later HPD gets another visit from the same person. Again she makes the same complaint. HPD sends an inspector who sends a report with the same stated violation is sent to the owner.
This goes on for several months until the tenant on her own moves. She leaves the apartment in good shape–swept clean–and returns the keys.
When the owner goes to inspect the apartment all is as she stated except there is one picture on the wall. The owner is curious as to why she left it. No puzzle he will remove it and if she returns for it he will give it to her.
Now can you guess what he found when he removed the picture?
Mystery Solved
That’s right! The case of the vanishing hole solved. It seems every time the owner came by she made sure to cover the hole and instructed her kids not to say a word. When the inspector came by she removed the picture and others–so as not to draw suspicion–so the inspector would see the hole.
Now, this particular case has puzzled others and me to this day because it makes no sense. The tenant was on a program, which paid her rent. She paid the small portion assigned to her by the program. She made no trouble. The tenant left on her own for a larger apartment. By all accounts, she was a “good tenant”.
To date, the owner has no idea why the hole was in the wall or why the tenant never showed it to him for repair.
Do you know why? Weigh in here and let’s hear your theories.
Despicable You?
Think this is the only crazy story I have that makes no sense? No way. Read Despicable You? for another story that makes no sense.
Notice: If you were directed here from the Non-Compliance article click here to return to it: The Rule of Non-Compliance.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and nothing stated here is legal advice. This article applies to the five boroughs of New York. All information deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Always check the real estate laws in your part of the country.
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