u/Crisgu

Fellow landlords, I’d appreciate your perspective.
How many reminders, inspections, and written notices are reasonable when tenants repeatedly fail to take care of a rental property?
I’m not talking about normal wear and tear or expecting a spotless home. I’m talking about recurring issues like poor housekeeping, accumulated debris, wet and dirty bathroom sinks and floors, neglected dryer lint filters, loose handrails creating safety hazards by unlatched storm doors repeatedly slamming into railings and causing damage.
These issues continue despite previous reminders and notices. And the damages are not just damages but need repairs which cost money.

I take my responsibilities as a landlord seriously, but I also believe tenants are responsible for reasonable upkeep and preventing avoidable damage.

At this rate, paying rent on time is not enough to make someone a good tenant when they repeatedly neglect the property.

At what point do you stop issuing reminders and decide not to renew?

I’d love to hear how other landlords handle repeated issues, document violations, and determine when enough is enough.

Hey all!
Hope you’re well!

I’m trying to replace our old furnace + AC with a cold-climate heat pump that qualifies for the full $10k NYS Clean Heat rebate (with gas decommissioning). I’ve already gotten two quotes and both experiences have left me pretty frustrated.
Both companies claimed they “did a Manual J” and sized the system based on it… but neither would actually share the full report. One showed me a CoolCalc summary (heating load around 60k, cooling around 31.5k) but then quoted a significantly oversized central system anyway. The other proposed a hybrid ducted + ductless setup at a much higher price and the numbers on the estimate didn’t even match the rebate they were promising. Both said they handle the rebate paperwork and deduct it, which is fine, but the lack of transparency on the actual load calculation and equipment selection is making me not trust either of them.
I still want a contractor who will do a proper Manual J, share the full report, and size the equipment according to ACCA standards instead of just throwing bigger equipment at it or hiding the numbers.
Anyone have recommendations for a company in the Capital Region that:

• Actually performs and shares a real Manual J (and ideally Manual S)
• Is a participating NYS Clean Heat contractor
• Does cold-climate heat pumps (ducted, ductless, or hybrid)
• Is transparent about pricing after the rebate

Would really appreciate any recent experiences (good or bad). Feeling like I can’t just trust the sales pitches right now.
Thank you so much!

I’m trying to replace our old furnace + AC with a cold-climate heat pump that qualifies for the full $10k NYS Clean Heat rebate (with gas decommissioning). I’ve already gotten two quotes and both experiences have left me pretty frustrated.
Both companies claimed they “did a Manual J” and sized the system based on it… but neither would actually share the full report. One showed me a CoolCalc summary (heating load around 60k, cooling around 31.5k) but then quoted a significantly oversized central system anyway. The other proposed a hybrid ducted + ductless setup at a much higher price and the numbers on the estimate didn’t even match the rebate they were promising. Both said they handle the rebate paperwork and deduct it, which is fine, but the lack of transparency on the actual load calculation and equipment selection is making me not trust either of them.
I still want a contractor who will do a proper Manual J, share the full report, and size the equipment according to ACCA standards instead of just throwing bigger equipment at it or hiding the numbers.
Anyone have recommendations for a company in the NY Capital Region that:
• Actually performs and shares a real Manual J (and ideally Manual S)
• Is a participating NYS Clean Heat contractor
• Does cold-climate heat pumps (ducted, ductless, or hybrid)
• Is transparent about pricing after the rebate
Would really appreciate any recent experiences (good or bad). Feeling like I can’t just trust the sales pitches right now.
Thanks!

Curious if anyone here regularly (or semi-regularly) commutes to the city for work.
What’s your setup like: train, bus, driving, hybrid?
How long does the door-to-door actually take, and how sustainable does it feel day-to-day or week-to-week?
Any tips, surprises, or things you wish you’d known before starting?
Just trying to get a realistic picture. Thanks!

Edit: for context, I moved to the Capital region a year ago and work remotely. I was offered a job with hybrid schedule in the city. Asking for help from experienced people before I make a decision.

Just a heads-up for anyone considering home services such as duct cleaning, HVAC work, or similar.
I recently booked what was presented as a standard duct cleaning service. The salesperson quoted a clear total of the service (including 8% sales tax) on the invoice, which I reviewed and accepted before any work began. There was no mention during the sales process of an on-site inspection that would generate significant additional “recommended” services, nor any disclosure that a credit card processing fee would be added later.
After the technician completed the work, the company attempted to tack on an extra 3.5% merchant/processing fee on top of the already-agreed amount. When I refused and pointed out that surprise or post-service credit card surcharges are not permitted under New York State law, they eventually backed down.
When I referenced the relevant statute, the company representative responded:

“I don’t know of any business that accepts credit cards that doesn’t also charge the percentage that is applied to the business to do so. I apologize I thought that was common knowledge to most people, just like tax.”

This is not an acceptable position from a business operating in New York. Under New York General Business Law § 518, merchants may pass on credit card processing fees as a surcharge only if the total credit card price is clearly disclosed in advance (before the transaction is completed). Adding it after the fact as a surprise charge violates the transparency and disclosure requirements.
Important clarification for consumers:
Credit card merchant fees are a cost of doing business for the merchant, not the customer. No consumer is obligated to pay them unless they are fully disclosed upfront and the customer agrees. Businesses that choose to accept credit cards bear this expense — similar to how PayPal or other processors charge fees to sellers. If a business wants to pass the cost along, they must build it into their quoted prices or clearly display both cash and credit prices from the beginning.
This experience was compounded by the initial sales process, which did not disclose that the technician would perform an inspection and present a list of starred “recommended” add-ons with separate pricing. The core service I requested was delivered, but the overall process felt designed to create opportunities for post-arrival upselling.
Has anyone else encountered similar “gotcha” credit card fees or aggressive upsells once the technician is already inside the home? It appears some service businesses are either unaware of consumer protection laws or choose not to follow them.

Advice for others:
• Always get a written quote with a final total (including tax) before work begins.
• Ask explicitly whether an inspection will lead to additional charges and what those might be.
• Confirm in writing that no post-service fees will be added.
• If a surprise fee appears, politely reference NYS law and request they honor the original agreed amount.
Consumer vigilance is important, especially with home service providers.

Just a warning for anyone getting quotes for home services (duct cleaning, HVAC, etc.) around Albany and surrounding areas.

I booked a standard duct cleaning service for a quoted total of an amount (including tax) on the invoice. The salesperson never mentioned any inspection leading to major add-ons or that a credit card fee would be added later. After the work, the technician tried to tack on an extra 3.5% merchant/processing fee on top of the agreed amount.
When I pointed out that surprise post-service credit card surcharges violate NYS law (must disclose total credit price upfront), they backed off. But it highlights a broader issue with transparency.

When I brought up the law, the company representative said:

“I don’t know of any business that accepts credit cards that doesn’t also charge the percentage that is applied to the business to do so. I apologize I thought that was common knowledge to most people, just like tax”.

Not a statement I like to hear from a business. I find myself, the consumer, providing them with business advice. No consumer is forced to pay merchant’s credit card fees. That is a fee businesses pay to use the credit card services. Like Paypal charges goods and services fees to sellers. If a merchant chooses to allow customers to pay using certain platforms it’s their responsibility to pay merchant fees. A consumer can agree to pay if they want to, as long as they are informed upfront.

Anyone else run into similar “gotcha” fees or heavy upsells after the tech is already in your house?
Seems like some local businesses in this area either don’t know the rules or don’t care.

Hello all!

I’ve been reflecting on how property rights directly dictate the lifespan and adaptability of our cities. In the West, we hold fee simple titles but face perpetual property taxation and zoning limits. In contrast, places like China utilize state-owned land with 70-year residential use-rights, allowing the state a sovereign reset button on urban layout when leases expire.

Essentially, both systems challenge the concept of absolute, allodial ownership: one functions via perpetual tax "rent," the other via direct state leasing.

I'd love to hear perspectives from planners, municipal employees, and international developers on the structural trade-offs here:

Land Assembly & Redevelopment: Does the fee simple model create insurmountable bottlenecks for major infrastructure and density upgrades due to holdouts, whereas leasehold systems streamline urban renewal?

Public Planning vs. Individual Liberty: How do these systems balance personal stability and wealth generation with a city's need to adapt to changing demographics and climate realities over a century?

Funding: What are the planning trade-offs between a system funded by recurring local property taxes versus one funded by state-level land allocation?

If you have worked or studied urban systems under both frameworks, how did the legal reality of "ownership" change the physical reality of the built environment?

Thanks.

I am looking for an economic comparison between two distinct land tenure and municipal funding models:

1 - The Western/U.S. Model: Fee simple title coupled with perpetual property taxation. Local governments rely on recurring property taxes to fund public services and infrastructure, using foreclosure as the ultimate enforcement mechanism for non-payment.

2 - The East Asian/Chinese Model: State ownership of land with time-limited residential land-use rights (typically 70 years). Local governments generate significant upfront revenue via land-use renewals or sales, rather than relying heavily on annual property taxes.

From a macroeconomic and public finance perspective, how do these two models alter long-term capital investment incentives for property maintenance and development as a lease nears its expiration?

Also, which system is more efficient at capturing unearned land value appreciation (land value capture) for public use?
And
How do these models impact housing affordability, market volatility, and the fiscal stability of local governments over multi-decade horizons?

Looking for insights grounded in public economics, urban economics, or relevant empirical studies.

Hey everyone, hope you’re well!

I found out that my premiums are all about $100 or so higher as renewal time approaches. I personally find it absurd that others submit claims and our premiums also go up when we never used any insurance.

With that said, I’m looking for recommendations for a solid insurance broker in the Capital Region. Usually online brokerage companies sell your data and next thing you know you’re getting a ton of marketing spam so I try to avoid those.

I’m currently looking for someone who can help bundle and properly review:

Umbrella, Rental property coverage, Homeowner’s and auto insurance.

Mainly looking for someone responsive, knowledgeable, and honest, especially someone who actually looks for the best coverage price instead of just entering data and pushing policies 😅

Would love to hear who you’ve had good experiences with, and who to avoid.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for recommendations on the best social platforms, forums, or online groups for staying connected with the Capital Region community (Albany and surrounding areas). I’m interested in local events, discussions, recommendations, buy/sell, getting to know people and the neighborhood. You know, general local engagement.
I’ve tried Nextdoor and the Facebook group “Welcome to Albany,” but found both to be quite hostile and not very welcoming.
Are there better alternatives that are more positive and active?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!