The New York Department of Buildings is nabbing an increasing number of Koreans for making illegal improvements to their homes.

Many Korean homeowners in Queens improved their basements, attics, upper floors, even garages—usually to make room for illegal tenants—without first obtaining the necessary permits from the city. A task force team from the New York City Department of Buildings is investigating the problem aggressively.

Often, people renting illegally improved spaces threaten the home owner with exposure, and refuse to pay rent. This is causing great conflicts between owners and tenants.

In one such case, Mr. Chung, 49, a Bayside resident, added a toilet and kitchen to the basement of his two-family house last year. Early this year though, the basement was closed by the Department of Buildings. Mr. Chung suffered a total loss of more than $10,000—including a fine of $2,500, and all of the construction costs. The Department of Buildings forced Mr. Chung to remove the renovations, returning the space back to its original condition.

Mr. Lee, 53, a Flushing resident, installed a new kitchen in his second-floor living room to rent the space to a student. The city closed the space and fined Mr. Lee $2,000.

Conflicts between owners and tenants is increasing. A few months ago, Mr. Bak moved to a house in Flushing. He discovered that the garage had been illegally improved. He also discovered that the tenants living in the basement were living there illegally. The tenants told him that the home improvements were illegal, and threatened to tell the City. They also stopped paying their rent. Mr. Bak faces a difficult situation. He has no recourse with the real estate broker who sold him the house. Mr. Bak did not know that renting the basement was illegal, nor did he know that the home improvements were done illegally. He is afraid to evict his tenants, because he is afraid that they will tell the City or demand a bribe to keep silent

According to sources in the New York City Department of Buildings, such illegal improvements occur often in Queens. An average of 1,000 cases of illegal home improvements are reported each month. The Queens office of the Department of Buildings began the task force two years ago. It works on the basis of reports, phone calls and tips, and checks the conditions of homes. The department can close off areas that were illegally repaired, and fine the owners.

The president of CRU Mechanics, Lee Yon-chan said, “If people improve their homes to rent space later, the construction can be dangerous. For instance, there are fire hazards. Therefore, the city strictly enforces the rules regarding home construction. Home improvements must be made following all procedures—including receiving a permit for construction, from the City.”

New York City has a website for Koreans to learn about home improvement instruction, regulations, violations and how to solve those violations. They also provide assistance for public hearings and complaints. It’s at www.nyc.gov/html/dob/pdf/koric.pdf.