New Landlord Fined Over $720K for Harassing Tenants

July 27, 2018

LVT Number: #28550

Tenants' association sued landlord, claiming that violations of the Housing Maintenance Code existed at the building. The court ordered landlord to correct the violations, and HPD was awarded penalties of $129,500. Tenants later asked the court to add the building's new landlord as a party and claimed harassment against the new owner. The court held a hearing and ruled that new landlord violated the order to correct violations. New landlord made no good faith effort to repair the building, nearly all "C" violations remained, and 30 other violations had been placed.

Tenants' association sued landlord, claiming that violations of the Housing Maintenance Code existed at the building. The court ordered landlord to correct the violations, and HPD was awarded penalties of $129,500. Tenants later asked the court to add the building's new landlord as a party and claimed harassment against the new owner. The court held a hearing and ruled that new landlord violated the order to correct violations. New landlord made no good faith effort to repair the building, nearly all "C" violations remained, and 30 other violations had been placed. Some tenants also were displaced without due process. The court found that landlord harassed tenants, and awarded $5,000 in civil penalties to tenants and an additional $717,700 in civil penalties to HPD.

659 Vermont St. Tenants' Ass'n v. Vermont Realty Partners: Index No. 3213/16, NYLJ No. 152809091 (Civ. Ct. Kings; 5/2/18; Chinea, J)

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