Oh man....construction in New York can really be loud. Work has to get done, but the Department of Environmental Protection has new regulations that reduce construction noise so it's manageable. Construction crews are now using noise-absorbing barriers. Trucks have quieter back-up alarms. Would you believe even jackhammers have better mufflers? So if you think a job in your neighborhood is consistently too loud, especially after hours or on weekends, contact 311 and they'll schedule an inspection to take sound level readings.

You've just been told about a fabulous apt in one of the greatest cities in the world but there's a catch. The space is illegal. Although it might be tempting, illegal conversions can cause serious safety risks for tenants and reduce the quality of life in a neighborhood. It creates a strain on resources like schools, parking, sanitation systems and can even have fatal consequences if there's a fire. Contact 311 to report an illegal conversion. The Department of Buildings takes these violations very seriously and they send inspectors to investigate over 20,000 complaints a year. If you're concerned about your own apartment, log on to the Buildings section of NYC.gov where you'll find tips on recognizing illegal conversions. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/home/home.shtml