Worst landlords in NYC

[Anonymous]

My daughter went to school in NYC at 17. She had a dorm and then apartments with other students. The other students left NYC so she decided to get an apartment on her own.

They had always needed a guarantor but she managed to get an apartment on her own for $2,200. When we visited we quickly realized it was an illegal apartment. A one bedroom basement with really shoddy work. There’s only one exit and the windows are barred. No mailbox or official address.

Landlord asked her to call ConEd to put electricity in her name. When she called ConEd they said they could not because the outdoor lights were connected to the basement apartment. They were lights for the two family apartments. The landlord then said to send him $150 a month to cover electricity.

Landlord is now dumping garbage in front of her apartment from another building he owns. There are about 15 cans in front of her window and it’s very loud. He owns a lot of buildings new and old.

It’s clear now why she didn’t need a guarantor. He saw a young woman in her 20’s and figured she wouldn’t complain about anything. He’s on a list of worst NYC landlords and I worry about her.

Can she break the lease and move?

[Anonymous]

Ask a lawyer to look over the lease terms. She should document everything in case there is a legal avenue to pursue. Breaking the lease terms/not paying could maker her liable in small claims court and an eviction or whatever the equivalent of not paying is called could make it very difficult for her to rent.

In the future it’s better to try to find a roommate or roommates and rent. Sadly $2200 doesn’t get you much in 2023. For perspective, eight years ago my husband and I paid $2500 for a studio on the UES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask a lawyer to look over the lease terms. She should document everything in case there is a legal avenue to pursue. Breaking the lease terms/not paying could maker her liable in small claims court and an eviction or whatever the equivalent of not paying is called could make it very difficult for her to rent.

In the future it’s better to try to find a roommate or roommates and rent. Sadly $2200 doesn’t get you much in 2023. For perspective, eight years ago my husband and I paid $2500 for a studio on the UES.

I know, she so badly wanted to live alone with her dog. A lease isn’t valid on an illegal apartment and rent can’t be collected according to https://nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/housing/pdfs/illegalapartment.pdf


And there are some exceptions in the landlord’s favor.

I’m mostly nervous about her safety. I think she should just move but that’s a major task. And it’s competitive. She could spend more but it sucks paying more because she’s been able to start saving money this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter went to school in NYC at 17. She had a dorm and then apartments with other students. The other students left NYC so she decided to get an apartment on her own.

They had always needed a guarantor but she managed to get an apartment on her own for $2,200. When we visited we quickly realized it was an illegal apartment. A one bedroom basement with really shoddy work. There’s only one exit and the windows are barred. No mailbox or official address.

Landlord asked her to call ConEd to put electricity in her name. When she called ConEd they said they could not because the outdoor lights were connected to the basement apartment. They were lights for the two family apartments. The landlord then said to send him $150 a month to cover electricity.

Landlord is now dumping garbage in front of her apartment from another building he owns. There are about 15 cans in front of her window and it’s very loud. He owns a lot of buildings new and old.

It’s clear now why she didn’t need a guarantor. He saw a young woman in her 20’s and figured she wouldn’t complain about anything. He’s on a list of worst NYC landlords and I worry about her.

Can she break the lease and move?

Your daughter’s in her 20s. Unless she has a mental impairment, stop interfering in her life.