Dianne Ackerman

A reader wants to know how to stop a building from adding an expensive gym. Ms. Demeanor suggests some questions to ask, and an alternate way of looking at the situation.

New York City’s Human Rights Law states that reasonable requests must be granted for people with disabilities. Certainly installing a safety bar seems simple enough and should be acted upon. 

Ms. Demeanor explains down how a NYC no-pet building can still accommodate people who need comfort dogs.

Ms. Demeanor breaks down the rules of conduct for NYC apartment building elevators. Enter and say good morning or hello, and then turn around and keep quiet. You'll be fine.

Ms. Demeanor suggests ways to organize trash removal in a building where tenants can't be bothered to put their garbage down the chute.

Second-hand smoke is very aggravating, and there are a few things you can do. But you should also know that a washer and dryer are not things that a NYC landlord has to provide to a tenant.