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Rental May Not Be Up to Code

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  • 01-25-2012, 02:57 PM
    MrJosh
    Rental May Not Be Up to Code
    My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Hawaii

    I know of a slumlord who owns the entire floor of a building I used to live in. He has essentially taken what used to be a 2 bedroom condo, turned it into a night club. Then when his club got shut down (because he was running it illegally) sectioned it off with fake bamboo false walls and turned it into a 4 bedroom apartment. He did this with the entire floor, making 15 small rooms. I have been doing some research on building permits on the floor he has turned into a residential living area, with terriable living conditions. I havent been able to get dead on proof whether the floor is still permitted for business use (used to be a night club, now listed as a law office) but what I did find was a permit filed in 2007 for interior alteration, which is currently under 'Inspection in Progress'. I know for a fact that it used to be an illegal nightclub, which he owned. I also know for a fact that the address is listed as The Law Offices of (his name). I also know for a fact that what he is doing is illegal, but I need hard evidence to be able to present it to the Commercial and Multi-family code enforcement office. I know of 2 other places he has that seems like it is still not complying with zoning laws... One which has a fake store front, the other is a 1 bedroom apartment, which the living room was split off to turn it in to a 2 bedroom.

    They are using a false wall made out of fake bamboo, and have thin peices of board on top because the wall doesnt go all the way to the ceiling.

    My questions are:

    Do false walls and permanent walls require different permits/codes?
    Is there anything I can get these people on regarding unsafe living conditions?
    What can I use to turn these slumlords in?

    Thank you.
  • 01-25-2012, 07:15 PM
    jk
    Re: Building Permit
    so, why are you so interested in the guy? Do you have any familial or legal relationship with the guy?


    basically, if you think there is a violation, call the inspector or code office to report what you know. Realize that for the government offices to do anything without the agreement of the owner they will need probable cause so they can obtain a warrant. Just your word isn't usually enough to do that.
  • 01-26-2012, 12:19 PM
    MrJosh
    Re: Building Permit
    I don't currently have any legal relationship with him. I used to be a tennat of his and left as soon as I could get out of there. My girlfriend still lives in the building and after all the threats that she is getting from the landlords, we have had it. They are about to open an elderly care home in the same building, with worse living conditions and I want to stop them any way I can before they hurt someone.

    I am aware of the code enforcement office, I am just needing to get some kind of hard evidence of what they are doing... I think I may have found the zoning permit that states the floor is for commercial use, but I don't really know if this is enough.

    What can I do to build a case against these people that will catch the attention of the code enforcement office?
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