Moved to a brand new contruction Feb 2012 in Williamsburg and the management has been such a pain.

The Building has amenities, such as Rooftop deck, gym and theather room. The rooftop did not open until August since they were not done with it. In the lease, there were no restrictions with using those amenities.

When the rooftop finally opened, they asked us to sign a contract which states that if we were going to have gatherings there, we would need to ask for prior permission from the management or face a $3,000 fine. I signed it.
When I asked to use the rooftop to have a small gathering (not private) they asked me to sign another contract ensuring nothing will be damaged and to submit $800 in cash as a security deposit to use the rooftop.

Is this allowed? I have a hard time understanding why none of these things were written on our rental lease. It seems that the management changes their mind about things and then asks the tenants to sign contracts over and over. I wouldnt have moved here if we needed to pay a deposit to use the theather room and now the rooftop.

Why did you sign the second agreement?

Well they wouldn't give our key card access to the roof unless we signed the first contract. not much we could do and also I didnt expect a 3rd contract to be sent later.

You should not have signed the separate agreements. you lose. {said like Mickey Rourke in Iron man 2.)

"You should not have signed the separate agreements. you lose."

...you get *nothing*! Good day! (said like Willy Wonka)

As with most all building boards, their ideal tenant would be Ann Frank & her family - that is of course, until they dare to breath to loudly.

Our roof deck (admittedly very, very nice & well kept) has a bright red sign, approximately 24"h x 16" w, with no less than 15 "NO"s listed.

Essentially, you have to sit up their like a mannequin - & that's it. What fun!

They haven't asked for any security deposit (not yet, anyway) but it in no way would surprise me.

Just the idea that they'd ask for one is extremely insulting, especially when one has to pass a number of criteria to live there to begin with. To me, it shows either how paranoid these boards or managers are, & worse, how they don't trust their own residents. UTTERLY DISGUSTING!

P.S: Although this may be stating the obvious, the primary reason the roof deck is in such good shape is simple: HARDLY ANYONE USES IT!
(They don't dare!) But seriously, the rules, a small percentage of them sensible but the majority beyond absurd, is obviously a big deterrent.
It's probably eating our board up alive that there's no one to send a warning letter to about rule infractions!

How do buildings monitor roof-deck usage and enforce rules?

I ask because some of my co-op's board members want to build one. The idea is that other co-ops in the neighborhood have them, "we need an amenity to compete," and the porters will keep it tidy, hose off the the furniture, etc., in their spare time.

Was the deck a factor in your choosing your building?

That wouldn't surprise me. We already have TV cameras in the freight elevator, laundry room, etc.

Drones...now THAT'S a good one!

We already have cameras pretty much everywhere, except the hallways & stairwells, but its probably only a matter of time before we do.

With roofdeck rules enough to make one jump, the best thing would be the simple installation of a diving board.

Stay tuned for the inevitable Estate sales...

Or if drones are prohibitively expensive, a more economic alternative would be to attach jetpacks to the multitudinous yentas that every building seems to have.

They'd sign up faster than their gossip spreads - if that's even possible.

I can easily envision them flying around & hovering over the deck, while excitedly yacking to one another, pointing their witch-like, liver spotted fingers at the "violators".

Afterwards, they apply lipstick liberally, in preparation for the kissing of the board's *** when they report back with their findings.

I don't think that second thing was a contract. Was it an addendum or something to your contract? For a contract both parties need to get something; besides getting screwed (sorry, couldn't resist).

A lot of rental buildings limit you to one guest and/or make you pay nonrefundable $300-500 fees to have any kind of gathering on the roof. The agreements you're being asked to sign don't seem all that bad in comparison.

Walpurgis, what are these crazy rules?

All of this is part of the bubble, following colleges and their expensive facilities.

. No cell phones
. No radios without headsets
. No food
. No smoking
. No glass containers
. No loud talking (late night; the deck went 24/7)
. No going beyond deck boundaries to the asphalt roof sections
. No ball or Frisbee throwing
. No pets
. No personal belongings can be kept on deck
. No personal furniture
. No more than two guests per shareholder at any one time
. No children without unless accompanied by an adult
. No unauthorized use of any building equipment
. No touching of plantings

What's the problem with having to put down a security deposit for a large gathering in a common area? That seems pretty standard to me. You'll get the money back as long as nothing is damaged.

Walpurgis, those all sound like perfectly reasonable and wonderful rules. A roof deck is common space, and the rules allow it to be enjoyed by all.

Awilda, regarding asking permission for gatherings and leaving a deposit: you should be happy management is allowing you to hold gatherings at all (see walpurgis's rule #12). A deposit seems like a great idea to ensure your guests don't damage or trash the terrace. It's amazing how otherwise tidy, responsible adults will suddenly shirk cleaning responsibilities when a party is hosted in common space... It's so much easier to leave those empty wine bottles lingering by the trash can, cigarettes stubbed out in planters, empty cups strewn about for the building staff to clean while you nurse a hangover in the comfort and privacy of your bedroom.

I just feel that anyone with common sense would already be cognizant if these things, but I guess better safe than sorry.

My roof deck in battery park is really nice. They have about 10 rules, one is no smoking. The roof burnt down and subsequently was closed for 6 months because some put their cigarette out in a planter. Notes had been sent around following a near miss the previous season. Some rules are there for a reason

"Walpurgis, those all sound like perfectly reasonable and wonderful rules. A roof deck is common space, and the rules allow it to be enjoyed by all."

Agreed. There are *always* a**holes to ruin it all, and at least this gives a little ammo to take care of major problems (by nipping at the minor ones). Some of these are blatantly obvious... no radio playing, of course. No bringing 10 friends, of course, then they dominate the roof, and others can't enjoy. Food, smoking, glass, anyone want to argue? Kids need supervision... of course, it is a ROOF.

It is a *common* area. There seem to always be folks in every situation willing to do things that will obviously make it harder for others to enjoy. I love when they throw idiots out for texting during the movies.

Yes, it is NYC, but this is private property... keep out the idiots...

BTW, if you are throwing a party on property with potential for damage (including things being thrown off roof), a security deposit is not crazy. Play by the rules, get it back.

If you are worried about losing it, perhaps it is you the neighbors should be worried about.

Agreed.

Gotta run now...I have to get my "quills"!

. No cell phones (VAGUE - should say no TALKING on cell phone)
. No radios without headsets (VERY Reasonable)
. No food (STUPID RULE! - eating your pizza or Chinese delivery on the roof is the whole point!)
. No smoking (VERY Reasonable)
. No glass containers (Reasonable)
. No loud talking (late night; the deck went 24/7) (Reasonable)
. No going beyond deck boundaries to the asphalt roof sections (Reasonable)
. No ball or Frisbee throwing (Reasonable)
. No pets (VERY Reasonable)
. No personal belongings can be kept on deck (Reasonable)
. No personal furniture (Reasonable)
. No more than two guests per shareholder at any one time (Reasonable)
. No children without unless accompanied by an adult (VERY Reasonable)
. No unauthorized use of any building equipment (Reasonable)
. No touching of plantings (Reasonable - if everyone took a sprig of mint....)

I don't see why pets (so long as they're on leash or on your lap, not urinating/defecating, and being watched vigilantly) can't be allowed on a building rooftop.

Re: I don't see why pets (so long as they're on leash or on your lap, not urinating/defecating, and being watched vigilantly) can't be allowed on a building rooftop.

Because pets slobber, bark, shed, sniff around, piss, shit, reek, bite and knock things over. And just because you love your pet, don't ever forget that most of us hate your pet.