Dozens of tenants living in an apartment in the neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn, have sued their landlord after losing their Section 8 vouchers due to the poor maintenance of the building. The lawsuit alleges that the landlord failed to perform necessary repairs on the building, leading to unlivable conditions that have put the building on the path to demolition. However, tenants want emergency repairs, and want to be guaranteed housing to ensure they will not become homeless due to the poor living conditions in the building.
Allegations of Unlivable Conditions at the Apartment Building
According to allegations from residents in the building, the landlord neglected basic maintenance and repairs to the point where it was essentially uninhabitable. Among other things, there are reports of leaks not being repaired, trash not being taken out, and infestations of rats and roaches that have not been addressed. There are also reportedly persistent problems with mold, and at least one resident reported that the lock to her door was broken and left unrepaired.
Demolishing the Building and Starting Over
The building’s state is so problematic that residents have lost their Section 8 vouchers, which are essential for them to be able to afford housing. The nonprofit group that manages the apartment complex has said that it plans to demolish the building and begin redeveloping the property. However, tenants say this is not an adequate fix, especially if they are forced out of their apartments and left homeless.
Tenants Seek Repairs and Protections
The tenants that have sued in this case have sought more immediate protections, including removing them from being liable for rent while dealing with unlivable conditions in their apartments. They also want more immediate repairs to make the apartments habitable, as is required under the implied warranty of habitability, and not just the demolition and rebuilding that is currently planned. They also want guarantees that they will be able to obtain housing once the new building is constructed, so they are not simply forced out of their apartments and made homeless.
The Importance of This Lawsuit
It is always important to hold landlords accountable whenever they fail to uphold their legal responsibilities. This includes the duty to ensure their apartments are safe and comfortable to live in, and to promptly respond to any issues such as broken utilities or infestations from insects or rodents. If you are dealing with problems such as these, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling landlord-tenant issues, who can help you explore your potential legal options.
If you are in a dispute with your landlord and want to know more about protecting yourself, do not wait until it is too late. You should seek advice from an attorney experienced in handling landlord-tenant disputes, who can advise you on your rights and help you avoid the risk of eviction. Contact the skilled landlord-tenant attorneys at Hobson-Williams, P.C. Contact us online, toll-free (866) 825-1529 or (718) 210-4744 to discuss your rights and the solutions available to you.
