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When a Resident's Disability Creates ProblemsFeb 08, 2012

We have a resident whose parents purchased a unit in our building for their adult son who has a developmental disability, to live independently. For the last few years, we've had no issues, but last weekend, the parents apparently bought the young man a car and he decided he didn't like the 'new car smell' and lit 2 sticks of incense and placed inside the car and went back to his apartment.

Residents, seeing smoke pouring from the unoccupied and parked vehicle- a vehicle that many had never seen before- panicked and called 911 as they thought the car was on fire.

Firefighters, police and EMS arrived on the scene and actually evacuated one of our buildings that was in close proximity to where the car was parked. We later learned that young man with the developmental disability was the owner of the car and had placed the incense in the car.

I feel that his parents (the shareholders) should be made aware of what happened, in light of the fact that the building was evacuated because of this incident. My concern is that if he would place a burning object inside a vehicle and walk away, he might do the same inside his apartment.

I don't want to overreact, but am curious to know if anyone has had a similar situation. And what happens if someone who is disabled who was once deemed "okay to live independently," is showing signs that they are not capable of living alone independently and how do you deal with that without violating the ADA?

Join the Conversation Comments (1)
Disability? - loverton Feb 10, 2012

I know plenty of so-called "normal" people who do dumb, potentially dangerous things too. If everyone in NYC was subject to your standards of approval, you and I and just about everyone else would have A LOT of empty apartments in our buildings.

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> Join the conversation Comments (1)
why is non shareholder occupying the apartment - escapefromyonkers Feb 11, 2012

depending on the wording of your proprietary lease, the son may not be a allowed per proprietary lease par 14 , to occupy the apartment without the shareholder living there. The buying of the apartment for the son should have been nixed by the board at the get go, unless the lease allows it for it , the "and -or" wording is what makes it allowable or not .
i would presume sublease fee's and the occupier/subtenant would have to follow the sublease procedures.
no one should hesitate from calling 911 if they think it is emergency, i could think of many times it would be and has been very deadly to do so. From a cell phone, depending on your location , calling the police or fire preceint directly may be a lot faster,since if you are on the Hudson river, NJ answers in my case and you lose precious time for them to realize your in ny, and routing you to the correct city.

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