Public Advocate report shows Brooklyn landlords among the worst in NYC
The city’s annual Worst Landlords Watchlist is out, and Brooklyn is well represented on this annual walk of shame compiled by the Public Advocate’s Office.
This year, roughly 200 buildings in Brooklyn made the list. The building with the most complaints, 855 East 19th St. in Midwood has racked up 491 violations with NYC Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) and the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB).
Since cold weather set in, complaints from tenants have poured in about the lack of heat. Other problems include spreading damp spots, leaks and mold, toilets lacking water, peeling plaster and broken tiles. Tenants called the city all last winter about the lack of heat as well.
On top of that, some tenants have no gas. A complaint filed with DOB states, “National Grid has cut off gas because pipe is defective. Landlord is not fixing the pipe.” An associated filing notes that “inspector could not gain access.” Another resident worries about an “inadequate sprinkler system.”