Co-op Handbook
Carpeting and Rugs
New York City law requires that every apartment with wooden floors have carpeting or rugs covering at least 80 percent of the floor area of each room within the apartment (except the kitchen, bathroom, foyer, and closets), unless there is no apartment underneath. Therefore, this law applies to all apartments located on floors 2 through 6 in all three buildings in our co-op, except apartments 2D and 2E in 37 Nagle Avenue. It does not apply to apartments on the first floor. The law was instituted to minimize noise.
Reader Comments
Posted by Christine D'Amico, 2 Nov 2002 at 9:56 AM: We were told by our COOP board that we are to have wall-to-wall floor coverings because we are on the second floor. We just got the floors done and put down area rugs and now they are telling us we need to get wall-to-wall. We live in Roslyn, New York. The COOP manager said “State Law requires that we get wall-to-wall carpeting because 80% of the floors need to be covered. You don’t cover the kitchen and bathroom so there’s your 20% now the rest needs wall-to-wall.” Meanwhile, I’m allergic to wall-to-wall carpeting. Tell us what laws apply if any to our situation. Thanks, Christine D’Amico
Posted by Webmaster, 2 Nov 2002 at 12:58 PM: It sounds like the law is not being interpreted correctly by your co-op board. The law here in NYC says that 80% of the floor area of each room has to be covered with rugs or carpeting (except bathrooms, kitchen, foyer, which can be left completely uncovered). That means that 20% of the floor area of each room can be left uncovered, and the kitchen, bathroom, etc., don’t count toward that 20%. So, the law doesn’t require wall-to-wall carpeting. Roslyn might have a similar city ordinance to NYC’s (I don’t believe it’s a NYS law). I would suggest you call your local housing authority to ask about this regulation (the phone number should be in the “blue pages” of your phone book). Good luck!
Posted by Barbara Dinnigan, 8 Jan 2003 at 2:49 PM: I do not live in your building. But, I am trying to find where I can get a copy of the New York City law that requires that wooden floors have carpeting or rugs covering at least 80 percent of the floor area of each room. Would you be able to direct me. I have a co-op in Queens and live on the first floor. I have a situation that is on going with the apartment above us. Thank you for what ever assistance that you can give me.
Posted by Michael, 23 Jan 2003 at 8:04 PM: Im having a hard time with my co-op they seem to only be inforcing the 80% floor covering rule on my apt. Would anyone know if furniture would be considered floor covering?
Posted by Eva Berbegal, 5 Feb 2004 at 5:26 PM: Hello, I do not live in your coop, but I have a terrible situation with my upstairs neighbor, who is constantly dragging furniture around the apartment (specially at midnight and around 6:40am every morning.) My landlord is not paying much attention to this problem. Could you please tell me where I can obtain a copy of the 80% floor carpeting law? I am quite desperate, I will really appreciate any leads, suggestions about how to deal with this problem. Thank you, Eva
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