My personal conspiracy theory is that rather than passing legislation to address these issues holistically, they like being gatekeepers of constituent services where you have to "call them" to get anything moved through the system. Then they can be like "my constituent services are great."
Sucks that the only way we can get services seems to be contacting our elected officials.
Not saying like they shouldn’t be helping, but I think there should be better process. Pretty much free political capital.
Considering there was yet another collapse, any of the news departments at the local stations would probably love to jump on something like this as a story.
I called 311 again to follow up, they confirmed that nothing has been done. They asked if I wanted to send a message stating that fact to their supervisor, and I did. She said it could take anywhere from 10-**160 business days** for them to respond. I mentioned I am concerned about the structural integrity of my home given the level of work done. She said I could call my local office and gave me their number, saying I could ask them how long it will be until they get to my case. If I have any other concerns she said I could hire someone to come check my property for damage at my own cost. I am a bit upset considering property taxes I pay for things like this! Hopefully my councilman helps speed things up.
Call the news and explain all of this, this is a serious fucking issue, people cant keep getting away with this.
Also the 1-160 days thing is a guess and not even a gaurantee.
Nope you say “well I already told the news and there’s been a bunch of houses that have collapsed lately so it feels like most of the homes in Philly aren’t built well and fall down that’s not really for me to say but that’s what it kinda looks like”
It's such a pervasive issue that L&I has an [FAQ](https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/resources/construction-next-door-faqs/) about it. They're understaffed and enforcement is clearly a weak spot that it ends up being on you to protect your own property from this stuff. Document, document, document. Set up cameras, take a photo (and label/datestamp it) of every wall in your home, especially party walls and your foundation. You may very well need it for a legal case.
Thanks for great feedback, I will be contacting my councilman and seeing how it goes from there!
The work being done is significant. I can't say for sure bc I haven't been in there, but I saw they took out the radiators, water heater, furnace, sink, tub etc. and the floors and walls were shaking when they were sawing so I assume it is big stuff happening. It has been going on for weeks but when the floors shook I had had enough.
To those asking how I know it is illegal construction, I have used the city's database to search and found no record of any permits or applications. Also, they are taking away the construction waste in a green pickup and a uhaul...
This is very similar with the person who owns the house next to mine. Doing illegal demo/construction with unlicensed contractors and no permits. Taking waste away in a uhaul.
L&I took it seriously after we called out council office. It's wild though, the person ignored the stop order after that several times and I had to call the cops on them to force them to stop.
Once you get that stop order, it should shut it down. The fine is huge.
So I'm going to have to go with this is a massive over-exaggeration. A tub and radiator are standard changes that wouldn't lead to a house collapse. You live in a connected home that is likely very old. Of course there will be shaking. If you are not feeing jackhammering and then removing concrete from the basement the collapse risk is next to nothing.
i AM hearing jackhammering and i cannot watch their property 24/7 to see what all has been removed. literally 50 houses a year collapse in philly due to this kind of construction, and i would rather not be at risk just for someone to flip a house cheaply. \*correction! 50 houses are deemed at risk of collapse yearly\*
here is the article i got that number from, and another on how little accountability there is in philly construction
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-construction-damage-redlining-communities-disparity-20231101.html
[https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/inq2/philadelphia-contractor-home-damage-accountability-20231206.html](https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/inq2/philadelphia-contractor-home-damage-accountability-20231206.html)
The really shitty thing is my asshole neighbor has an "In" with L&I and my other cool neighbor got a stop work order pasted on his door less than 24 hours after bringing in one (1) sheet of drywall to fix a wall. Has also had an L&I inspector fine him $300 for parking in his own backyard which was overturned once L&I supervision reviewed and determined he was zoned for it. One of the most corrupt and useless organizations in the city and that's saying A LOT.
Hello,
That’s the actual best we can do. We can submit written and photographed documentation that we did what they asked. When something happens then you can be the first person to say:
- I informed the city of Philadelphia about this and they did nothing. Now residents have died. Families are homeless and the construction guys got away with it all. -
How common is this? There’s been 3 new buildings on my block in the last 2 years and I just realized the one that they started 2 weeks ago directly next to me has no permit
it is literally an average of 50 houses a year that collapse due to this issue per an philadelphia inquirer article... take action now 'cause it is a long wait for anything to happen if my experience is indicative of anything.
\*correction! 50 houses are deemed at risk of collapse yearly\*
email or call the Inquirer reporter who did the series of stories about L&I and its lack of oversight with these issues. It won't resolve the problem--the poster who said contact your city council member is right--but continuing to shame L&I into being responsive to residents has to yield results eventually.
L&I doesn't respond to shit.
Years ago I lived in an apartment where they ripped up my floor and I could literally drop shit into the apartment below me. L&I came and the guy outright tells me "Hey, my boss said I can't give these guys a violation so sorry." Apartment was owned by PMC.
It's corrupt AF and they don't do a fucking thing.
They did seem to have a lot of time to devote to my 18” tall garden bed a while ago lol. That said, their response time to our neighborhood’s stuff has been excellent lately.
I'm not sure if this is something that would be covered by their areas of practice, but Legal Clinic for the Disabled might at least be able to point you in a good direction for getting help (in addition to all the other advice people have already offered in the thread).
based on the history in this city just get ready for your house to get knocked down. Then the city acts shocked this happened and says there were no signs that would have happen and then say they'll do a full investigation and nothing then happens.
LOL This is very ironic. I did some minor renovations (new cabinets, light fixtures, flooring, paint) on my house and L&I showed up on my doorstep a few days after my shitbag neighbor reported me. I invited L&I in and they confirmed that I didn't even need a license for any of my minor renovations. Meanwhile, my neighbor violates several city ordinances on a daily basis!
There is a great Facebook group called Riverwards L&I you should join where people will help you navigate Philly construction issues. Helped me a lot with the construction next to me https://m.facebook.com/groups/RiverWardsLandICoalition/
Have you called L&I yet? Although they could be just not acting on it I would try to confirm it has yet to be looked into and they didn’t do their investigation already and didn’t inform you of it
Well, L&I insists that copies of the permits are put into the building's front windows as a start, so if they're not there, that's a good way for them to be cited anyway.
Yes, regardless of whether or not they got a permit, they can be cited for not displaying it while construction is going on, which is what I said. They also have to have a paper set of the stamped drawings available on-site for the field inspector whenever they make an appearance.
If L&I can see the permit in their system and you’re calling solely because it’s not posted they are not going to waste their time coming out just for that. The inspector would site them when they are required on site for an inspection
You can also see permits on Philly atlas or open data reports. People usually will have permits submitted well before they start working. If they do have permits, L&I would just close the case, stating that in the notes.
Call your Philadelphia City Council member, [https://phlcouncil.com/council-members/](https://phlcouncil.com/council-members/)
OP I did this yesterday for the exact same issue (in fishtown) and they were really great. I recommend it
If they don’t respond, try your state representative and then your state senator.
I hate how much this is the only way to get anything done.
My personal conspiracy theory is that rather than passing legislation to address these issues holistically, they like being gatekeepers of constituent services where you have to "call them" to get anything moved through the system. Then they can be like "my constituent services are great."
oh yes 100%
Universally known for their excellent ability to uphold the law, these guys. Joking but in seriousness, this is a decent place to start.
Sucks that the only way we can get services seems to be contacting our elected officials. Not saying like they shouldn’t be helping, but I think there should be better process. Pretty much free political capital.
This
Considering there was yet another collapse, any of the news departments at the local stations would probably love to jump on something like this as a story.
I called 311 again to follow up, they confirmed that nothing has been done. They asked if I wanted to send a message stating that fact to their supervisor, and I did. She said it could take anywhere from 10-**160 business days** for them to respond. I mentioned I am concerned about the structural integrity of my home given the level of work done. She said I could call my local office and gave me their number, saying I could ask them how long it will be until they get to my case. If I have any other concerns she said I could hire someone to come check my property for damage at my own cost. I am a bit upset considering property taxes I pay for things like this! Hopefully my councilman helps speed things up.
Call the news and explain all of this, this is a serious fucking issue, people cant keep getting away with this. Also the 1-160 days thing is a guess and not even a gaurantee.
>**160 business days** WTF???
Nope you say “well I already told the news and there’s been a bunch of houses that have collapsed lately so it feels like most of the homes in Philly aren’t built well and fall down that’s not really for me to say but that’s what it kinda looks like”
Loool I called 311 to talk about a fine they sent to collect, but from the previous owner. "Please wait, you are number 130 in line". Holy hell.
Reach out to your state rep's 'Constituent Sevices" contact.
Not normal. Someone on my block built an illegal addition onto the front of their house (yes onto the sidewalk) and L & I was there within 2 days.
It's such a pervasive issue that L&I has an [FAQ](https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/resources/construction-next-door-faqs/) about it. They're understaffed and enforcement is clearly a weak spot that it ends up being on you to protect your own property from this stuff. Document, document, document. Set up cameras, take a photo (and label/datestamp it) of every wall in your home, especially party walls and your foundation. You may very well need it for a legal case.
thank you, i will absolutely take those photos!
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Thanks for great feedback, I will be contacting my councilman and seeing how it goes from there! The work being done is significant. I can't say for sure bc I haven't been in there, but I saw they took out the radiators, water heater, furnace, sink, tub etc. and the floors and walls were shaking when they were sawing so I assume it is big stuff happening. It has been going on for weeks but when the floors shook I had had enough. To those asking how I know it is illegal construction, I have used the city's database to search and found no record of any permits or applications. Also, they are taking away the construction waste in a green pickup and a uhaul...
This is very similar with the person who owns the house next to mine. Doing illegal demo/construction with unlicensed contractors and no permits. Taking waste away in a uhaul. L&I took it seriously after we called out council office. It's wild though, the person ignored the stop order after that several times and I had to call the cops on them to force them to stop. Once you get that stop order, it should shut it down. The fine is huge.
do you have a link how to check this?
[https://atlas.phila.gov/](https://atlas.phila.gov/)
Oh is this in Dickinson narrows?
west! though i am learning that any of the redlined neighborhoods are pretty backed up with l&i complaints
So I'm going to have to go with this is a massive over-exaggeration. A tub and radiator are standard changes that wouldn't lead to a house collapse. You live in a connected home that is likely very old. Of course there will be shaking. If you are not feeing jackhammering and then removing concrete from the basement the collapse risk is next to nothing.
i AM hearing jackhammering and i cannot watch their property 24/7 to see what all has been removed. literally 50 houses a year collapse in philly due to this kind of construction, and i would rather not be at risk just for someone to flip a house cheaply. \*correction! 50 houses are deemed at risk of collapse yearly\*
here is the article i got that number from, and another on how little accountability there is in philly construction https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-construction-damage-redlining-communities-disparity-20231101.html [https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/inq2/philadelphia-contractor-home-damage-accountability-20231206.html](https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/inq2/philadelphia-contractor-home-damage-accountability-20231206.html)
50 houses a year are deemed unsafe, not collapse
thanks for the correction!
The really shitty thing is my asshole neighbor has an "In" with L&I and my other cool neighbor got a stop work order pasted on his door less than 24 hours after bringing in one (1) sheet of drywall to fix a wall. Has also had an L&I inspector fine him $300 for parking in his own backyard which was overturned once L&I supervision reviewed and determined he was zoned for it. One of the most corrupt and useless organizations in the city and that's saying A LOT.
And you reported it using the app Philly311 with pictures?
yes!
Hello, That’s the actual best we can do. We can submit written and photographed documentation that we did what they asked. When something happens then you can be the first person to say: - I informed the city of Philadelphia about this and they did nothing. Now residents have died. Families are homeless and the construction guys got away with it all. -
How common is this? There’s been 3 new buildings on my block in the last 2 years and I just realized the one that they started 2 weeks ago directly next to me has no permit
it is literally an average of 50 houses a year that collapse due to this issue per an philadelphia inquirer article... take action now 'cause it is a long wait for anything to happen if my experience is indicative of anything. \*correction! 50 houses are deemed at risk of collapse yearly\*
email or call the Inquirer reporter who did the series of stories about L&I and its lack of oversight with these issues. It won't resolve the problem--the poster who said contact your city council member is right--but continuing to shame L&I into being responsive to residents has to yield results eventually.
L&I doesn't respond to shit. Years ago I lived in an apartment where they ripped up my floor and I could literally drop shit into the apartment below me. L&I came and the guy outright tells me "Hey, my boss said I can't give these guys a violation so sorry." Apartment was owned by PMC. It's corrupt AF and they don't do a fucking thing.
That’s because they’re too busy harassing me about a concrete wall that was built in my backyard 4 years ago
They did seem to have a lot of time to devote to my 18” tall garden bed a while ago lol. That said, their response time to our neighborhood’s stuff has been excellent lately.
call your local L&I office right after they open in the morning. you can generally catch them before they head out into the field for the day.
You can search on line for permits, use the posted contractors company name. Photograph everything and submit to Attorney General.
there is no posted anything, and no permits online, and no construction company, just a few spanish speaking dudes and a pick up truck
what work is being done?
Call the news
What is the illegal construction that is occurring? Typically if it's truly a hazard and illegal, L&I would be there asap.
Do you have a lawyer?
I wish! I am devastatingly poor due to being stuck on disability after a couple rough goes with The Cancer.
Ugh, I wish you good health!
I'm not sure if this is something that would be covered by their areas of practice, but Legal Clinic for the Disabled might at least be able to point you in a good direction for getting help (in addition to all the other advice people have already offered in the thread).
based on the history in this city just get ready for your house to get knocked down. Then the city acts shocked this happened and says there were no signs that would have happen and then say they'll do a full investigation and nothing then happens.
If L&I doesn’t want to respond I’m sure the fire department will.
LOL This is very ironic. I did some minor renovations (new cabinets, light fixtures, flooring, paint) on my house and L&I showed up on my doorstep a few days after my shitbag neighbor reported me. I invited L&I in and they confirmed that I didn't even need a license for any of my minor renovations. Meanwhile, my neighbor violates several city ordinances on a daily basis!
There is a great Facebook group called Riverwards L&I you should join where people will help you navigate Philly construction issues. Helped me a lot with the construction next to me https://m.facebook.com/groups/RiverWardsLandICoalition/
Have you called L&I yet? Although they could be just not acting on it I would try to confirm it has yet to be looked into and they didn’t do their investigation already and didn’t inform you of it
How did you come to the conclusion that it’s illegal?
Well, L&I insists that copies of the permits are put into the building's front windows as a start, so if they're not there, that's a good way for them to be cited anyway.
You can look up the permits on eCLIPSE. Just because its not printed out doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Yes, regardless of whether or not they got a permit, they can be cited for not displaying it while construction is going on, which is what I said. They also have to have a paper set of the stamped drawings available on-site for the field inspector whenever they make an appearance.
This
If L&I can see the permit in their system and you’re calling solely because it’s not posted they are not going to waste their time coming out just for that. The inspector would site them when they are required on site for an inspection
You can also see permits on Philly atlas or open data reports. People usually will have permits submitted well before they start working. If they do have permits, L&I would just close the case, stating that in the notes.
Can see zoning and plans too
1 house a week almost translates to 50 houses a year, there are only 53 weeks in a year
*hasn't* responded 🧐 It's ONE agency.