Fines and Other Risks of Violations

Owning property has plenty of advantages. Whether you own a home, a rental building, or a commercial property, there’s something special about ownership. While homes provide a cozy space to call your own, rental and commercial spaces provide the opportunity to make a nice profit. However, you’ll need to keep up with laws and codes to make sure you don’t get yourself into trouble.

At JPI Plumbing & Heating, Inc. of Staten Island, New York, we offer expert plumbers to help you avoid costly building code violation fines. Let’s look at some potential violations and how our residential plumbing services and commercial plumbing services can help.

Common Violations

There are various rules and regulations property owners need to follow. When it comes to plumbing and heating violations, these are some of the most common:

Local Law 152 Inspections

Gas piping is often used in buildings to supply natural gas to appliances. Buildings in New York City with gas pipes must have their gas pipes inspected periodically, according to LL152 of 2016. If a building has gas pipes and they’re not routinely inspected, building owners can be fined up to $5,000.

DOB/ECB Violations

If a building or property is found to be out of compliance with building codes or zoning resolutions, they will receive a DOB/ECB violation. These violations are issued by the Department of Buildings (DOB) and heard by the Environmental Control Board (ECB). Examples include a lack of adequate heating, gas leaks, and more. DOB/ECB Violations include:

• Work without a permit
• Illegal apartment on premises (basement)
• Boiler Violations
• RPZ Violations

DOB Open Permits/Permits Not Closed On Your Property

A DOB open permit occurs when you receive the permit, which is a required authorization for most construction, demolition, or alteration projects, and it has not been closed. This means that the work authorized by DOB hasn’t been completed or gotten a final inspection or approval. Open permits can raise issues about potential safety or code compliance infractions.

• Any permit that is open on your property needs to be closed out prior to you selling/refinancing your property.

DEP 3-Day Notice

If a property owner has a leaking water service line, they’ll receive a 3-day notice from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This notice means they must address the issue (start working on it) within three business days to avoid fines and potential shut-off to the water service.

Health Department Violations

Health department violations are issued when a business, particularly a restaurant, bar, or food service company, doesn’t comply with rules regarding hygiene, food safety, and sanitation. These rules are enforced by health inspectors to protect public health and must be corrected to avoid major consequences.

Why Should You Call a Professional?

Without addressing these issues, your property may not pass inspection and will be subject to fines. Professional plumbing companies can help you fix these problems and avoid the costly fines that come with them. Some plumbing complications can even get worse and involve more extensive repairs if not dealt with sooner rather than later. Because plumbing systems are complex and intricate, expert plumbers, like those from JPI Plumbing & Heating, Inc., are necessary if you want to keep your property safe and without violations.

Let Us Help You Avoid Building Code Violation Fines

Building code violation fines are avoidable. If the issues are left alone for long, you could be looking at serious damages. If you suspect you need plumbing services, look to the experienced and talented plumbers at JPI Plumbing & Heating, Inc. We work on everything from low-income homes to expensive penthouses and take on residential and commercial jobs, including those in medical offices and restaurants.

We take pride in our knowledge of these important building codes, making our team a great choice if you’re looking for help with new construction or want to update your current property. Contact us today if you have any questions or are interested in our services.