'I could wake up dead.' City announces $2.17M judgement against South Bronx landlord
Mayor Mamdani announced a first of-its-kind ruling in a case against the owners of 919 Prospect Ave. The ruling imposes the maximum penalties under the New York City's Nuisance Abatement Law.
More Stories
A victory for tenants living in a South Bronx apartment building that has been plagued by neglectful conditions for decades.
Mayor Mamdani announced a first of-its-kind ruling in a case against the owners of 919 Prospect Avenue.
"There has been an order that the owner pay $1,000 a day in penalties for violations dating back to April 21, 2019, totaling more than $2.1 million so far, with fines continuing to accrue if violations do not accrue as ordered by the court," the mayor said.
The ruling imposes the maximum penalties under the New York City's Nuisance Abatement Law.
"It's not possible for me to live this way," said Gloria who is a tenant at 919 Prospect Ave.
Gloria says she has suffered through the winter with out heat, relying on space heaters that have fried her electrical outlets. Her windows are boarded up with Styrofoam, installation, blankets, card boxes and duct tape to keep the chill out.
"It's dangerous, I could wake up dead," Gloria said.
Mamdani and the city's legal team is stepping in to help the tenants. Their building has racked up more than 1,100 complaints over the last two years according to city records under the ownership of Seth Miller.
Miller is ranked on the city's top 100 worst landlords list released by the public advocate.
"With the resources that the mayor has given us, we are not going to rest until this landlord is held accountable," said Steven Banks, NYC Corporation Counsel.
Miller did not respond to us about the lawsuits or other pending cases he is facing. The city has set aside $75M in their preliminary budget to hire 100 more attorneys and 200 additional support staff to go after landlords like Miller.
"I want this legal decision to put other bad landlords across our city on notice, if you do not change your ways, we now have a strong precedent to pursue the same kind of legal action against you," the mayor said.
Tenants Maria Rodriguez says she has lived in discomfort and neglect for years, and the goal is simple.
"We just want the basic stuff, just what we are supposed to get as a tenant," said Rodriguez.
