Speculates That Actions Initiated By His Office Pressured Landlord to Initiate Sale
Council Member Oliver
Koppell was pleased to learn that Morris Rubin, the owner of 3660 Waldo
Avenue, (the “Majestic”) has put the building up for sale. Because of
numerous tenant complaints
about lack of heat and hot water, mold, water leaks, elevator problems
and other issues, he has been bringing pressure on HPD to enforce the
law by requiring that these serious violations be corrected.
Towards this end,
Koppell’s office helped originate a tenant petition requesting a 7A
procedure to remove Mr. Rubin and put an administrator in place to
manage the building. Although Mr.
Rubin was not removed, HPD brought him to court where the judge ordered
him “to abate the
conditions existing on the premises that are dangerous to the occupants’ life, health and
safety” in a reasonable period of time. He was required to
repair the elevators, correct lead paint violations, make apartment
repairs, replace old wooden stairs and remediate violations pertaining
to the building’s facade.
Koppell speculated that
the requirements to make costly repairs no longer enabled Mr. Rubin to
“milk” the building and contributed to his decision to sell it.
“I am hopeful that the tenants will see a new day when the building
is sold and that the new owner will be more responsive to the tenants’
right to live in a safe and habitable building,” he said.
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