Leah Rosner

Violations against a building or apartment can range from non-hazardous (like minor leaks) to hazardous (lack of adequate lighting in public areas) to immediately hazardous (such as lead paint or lack of heat).

While some are merely a nuisance, others can pose a genuine threat to your health and well-being, require extensive repair work, or result in substantial fees or even liens being placed against a property.

QUICKTIP:  Creditors' liens against a property can make a seller more negotiable. On the flip side, liens can also complicate a sale and underscore the need for a thorough property inspection, a sharp broker, and a diligent attorney.  

When searching for a new place to call home in New York, most people know to steer clear of areas with landfills, power plants and, say, massive decades-long subway construction. But did you also know that toxic sites abound in the five boroughs?