NYC Landlords Face Record Number of Housing Violations, Sparking Tenant Outcry
A new report reveals a disturbing trend in New York City’s rental market, with two landlords accumulating the most open housing violations ever recorded by the Public Advocate’s office. The findings underscore a growing crisis of tenant neglect and raise questions about accountability for property owners.
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams announced the findings, identifying both landlords as being affiliated with A&E Real Estate, a management company overseeing 60 buildings throughout the five boroughs. The company now faces scrutiny over the conditions in its properties and the sheer volume of unresolved issues.
One building at the center of the controversy is located at 80 Woodruff Avenue in Brooklyn’s Prospect Lefferts Gardens neighborhood. Residents there report years of deteriorating conditions, including pervasive mold, broken lighting, and significant rodent infestations.
“Rats, roaches, mice. Those are the usual main three that are down here,” said one tenant, Zamani, speaking about the building’s laundry room. She requested anonymity, citing concerns about potential repercussions. “It’s just a lot of non-communication with any of the tenants, and just, neglect.”
Merlyn Williams, a tenant who pays $1,400 monthly for her unit, described a relentless battle against mold. “I wipe and I wipe and I wipe and wipe, but that doesn’t solve the problem because it’s there,” she stated.
According to reports, A&E Real Estate has amassed nearly 9,000 open housing violations across its portfolio – a figure unprecedented in the city’s history. Public Advocate Williams emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “They always find a reason why they can’t take care of their buildings and why they have tenants living in conditions they shouldn’t be living in.”
In a proactive effort to address the issues, the Public Advocate personally visited the Brooklyn building, distributing information about tenant rights and resources for reporting violations to agencies like the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Buildings. This outreach aims to empower residents to advocate for necessary repairs and improved living conditions.
The current situation echoes past cases of landlord negligence. Two years prior, a landlord previously named on the city’s “Worst Landlords” list faced arrest and jail time after repeatedly failing to address critical repairs in Washington Heights.
Responding to the latest report, a spokesperson for A&E Real Estate issued a statement asserting the company has “invested over $800 million across our portfolio to improve the quality of our housing, meaning that every single one of our buildings is in better shape today than it was when we assumed management.” The spokesperson further argued that characterizing this investment as “neglect” is “misleading and unrealistic,” while acknowledging that “much more work” remains to be done.
However, tenants remain skeptical. “Changes must come,” Williams insisted, reflecting the widespread frustration among residents.
Public Advocate Williams has proposed legislation that would mandate faster inspections and repairs by HPD. The proposal is currently under consideration.
This story was originally reported by NBC New York, with AI tools assisting in the conversion to a digital article and subsequent editing by an NBC New York journalist.
