NYC Public Advocate Fights Back Against Bad Landlords
New York City Public Advocate Letitia James introduced several new bills this week that would increase the city’s power to fight back against negligent landlords.
One bill would expand the scope of the city’s public nuisance law to allow city officials to bring landlords to court for maintaining unsanitary or dangerous living conditions.
“This new law would give us the ability to step in and act in such a situation rather than waiting for the landlord who has shown they don’t care,” said James.
Another bill would force the Department of Buildings to deny building permits to building owners with excessive safety violations.
“If you are capable of doing construction renovations, then you can certainly first address the deficiencies in the apartments,” said Ed Josephson of Legal Services NYC.
This new legislation comes on the heels of James’ release of last year’s ‘Worst Landlords Watchlist,’ a list of the New York City landlords with the greatest number of complaints and building violations.
The Watchlist compiles data from both the Department of Buildings and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and only includes the most egregious offenders.
With 2,369 violations divided between 11 different Bronx buildings, Ved Parkash was rated the worst landlord in New York City. Landlords Harry D. Silverstein and Yechiel Weinberger followed close behind, each with buildings in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.
To check if your own landlord made the list, click here.
Do you feel that your landlord is violating your rights?
New York City landlords are required by law to keep their buildings free of garbage and vermin and in “good repair,” and to maintain heating, plumbing, ventilating and electrical systems.
Landlords must give tenants a week’s notice before entering their apartment for repairs, and 24 hours’ notice before an inspection.
If your landlord changes your locks without warning and does not give you a new key, you may call the police to report an unlawful eviction.
Sources: “100 Worst Landlords in New York City,” Letitia James: Public Advocate for the City of New York.
Durkin, Erin, “Public Advocate Letitia James introduces bills that would better equip city to deal with criminal, negligent landlords,” New York Daily News, 6 January 2016.
“Tenants’ Rights,” Letitia James: Public Advocate for the City of New York.
Related Practice Areas
Image note: photographs accompanying our blog articles are illustrative and digitally created. They do not depict actual clients, actual attorneys of this firm, or actual events.
Read more
Beyond the App: Unmasking Uber’s Strategy to Evade Passenger Liability
When a passenger steps into an Uber on the streets of New York, there is an implicit expectation that the multi-billion-dollar ride-hailing giant stands behind the safety of that journey. Yet, in courtrooms and arbitration proceedings across the country, Uber’s primary defense line remains remarkably consistent: we are merely a technology platform, not a transportation […]
When the Safety Net Fails: What Michael Wagner’s Story Teaches NYC Construction Workers About Labor Law 240(1) & Injury Rights
In the immediate aftermath of a severe construction site accident, most injured workers focus on one thing: getting back on their feet. They assume that if they play by the rules, report the incident, and file their claims, the safety net will be there to protect them and their families. Unfortunately, as millions of workers […]
Can New York City Be Liable for a Dangerous Street or Intersection?
When a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorist is seriously injured in a New York City traffic accident, the investigation should not always end with the drivers involved. In some cases, the design, operation or maintenance of the roadway itself may have contributed to the crash. New York City has a duty to maintain its streets in […]