City’s Worst Landlord Owns Van Cortlandt Village Building
“I am very distressed to read the newest list of 100 Worst Landlords in NYC, released today by Public Advocate Letitia James. I am even more concerned to learn that the worst NYC landlord identified in the report, Harry D. Silverstein, operates a building in my council district, 3971 Gouverneur Avenue in Van Cortlandt Village. The building has more than 280 open violations filed with Housing Preservation and Development, and 4 with Department of Buildings. These include numerous complaints of unrepaired plumbing, as well as unsafe conditions such as defective smoke and CO2 alarms and missing window guards.”
“This type of irresponsible management of residential buildings is despicable and intolerable. My district is home to a total of 9 buildings owned by 6 individuals on this infamous list. I demand that Silverstein and the other building owners who made the list immediately fix their buildings, or sell them to someone who will. We cannot look the other way, and tolerate the continued existence of unsafe and inhumane housing units in our neighborhoods.”
“My staff hears tenant concerns from throughout the district on a regular basis, and we attempt to reach out to landlords where possible, to get the concerns resolved. When that does not resolve the issues, we encourage tenants to organize themselves, and seek legal representation. I invite residents of 3971 Gouverneur Ave. and other buildings with unresolved HPD complaints, to visit my district office at 277 West 231st Street, or call 718.549.7300 to report concerns about their housing conditions.”
