Owners of Nob Hill Apartments Refused to Remediate Hazardous Conditions That Led to Devastating Fire
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens sued the owners and managers of Nob Hill Apartments (Nob Hill) for years of persistent health and safety issues, tenants’ rights violations, and illegal business practices. Since 2019 to 2026, Nob Hill has been cited 413 times for city and state code violations, 69 of which are unresolved as of June 2026. As a result of Nob Hill’s negligence, a devastating fire broke out in one of the apartment complex’s buildings on February 28, 2026, claiming a life and displacing dozens of tenants. Even after this tragic fire and another that followed in May 2026, Nob Hill still has unresolved fire safety violations. Residents have also reported pest infestations, a lack of heating and air conditioning, and other dangerous conditions that have been left unaddressed. In the lawsuit, Attorney General James and Mayor Owens seek restitution for tenants, the return of withheld security deposits, rent abatement, and penalties paid to the City of Syracuse for code violations.
“The deadly fire at Nob Hill Apartments was a shameful, preventable tragedy,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers should never pay the price for their landlord’s negligence, and residents of Nob Hill have suffered too long in unacceptable conditions. I am grateful to Mayor Owens for her partnership in our fight to get justice for every tenant.”
“The fire and tragic loss of life at the Nob Hill apartments is both heartbreaking and unacceptable,” said Mayor Owens. “For decades, Nob Hill stood as a source of quality housing in our community, and that legacy has been severely damaged by its current ownership. These owners need to be held accountable for this neglect. I am grateful for the partnership of the Attorney General as we pursue every legal avenue available to hold the property owner and all responsible parties accountable for the condition of these properties.”
Attorney General James and Mayor Owens’ lawsuit details Nob Hill tenants’ reports of dangerous conditions, including pest infestations, sewage backups, broken elevators, and overflowing trash, among other issues. In addition, broken doors and locks have gone unfixed, leading to safety concerns including fights, stolen cars, and rampant theft. Broken heating and cooling systems have forced tenants to endure life-threatening cold in the winter and oppressive heat in the summer. Attorney General James and Mayor Owens allege that by allowing these conditions to persist and failing to provide tenants with the basic living standards promised in their rental agreements, Nob Hill’s owners have violated New York’s housing and tenant protection laws.
The lawsuit also alleges Nob Hill misled prospective tenants to believe they were renting safe and habitable homes. Nob Hill’s website touted the apartment complex as “comfortable and convenient,” but in reality, residents reported hazardous living conditions that threatened their health and safety. Nob Hill has also charged tenants monthly “technology” and “pest” fees that did not provide any clear benefit to tenants.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has also received approximately a dozen complaints from former Nob Hill tenants whose security deposits were not returned when they moved out of the complex without any explanation or accounting from Nob Hill, as required by law.
Attorney General James and Mayor Owens are asking the court to issue an order requiring the owners of Nob Hill to address all outstanding violations, reimburse tenants who had to spend their own money to make their homes safe and habitable, provide restitution to tenants impacted by dangerous living conditions, return security deposits, and reimburse all illegal fees. Attorney General James and Mayor Owens are also seeking the forfeiture of profits the owners of Nob Hill earned while failing to comply with city, county, and state codes.
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