7a Initial Petition
7a Initial Petition
7a Initial Petition
450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
--- --------------X
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a hearing will be held at the Civil Court of the City of
New York, Bronx County, in Part H, Room 560 of the Courthouse at 1118 Grand Concourse,
Bronx County at 9:30 a.m. on December 16, 2016 on the annexed verified petition.
(i) appointing an administrator pursuant to Section 778 of the Real Property Actions
and Proceedings Law ("RPAPL") for the building located 919 PROSPECT
(ii) directing that, pursuant to Section 776 of the RPAPL, the rents due on the date of
entry of said judgment from the Petitioning tenants and the rents due as of the
tenants occupying the building from such other tenants be deposited with the
administrator;
(iii) directing that any rents to become due in the future from the Petitioners and from
all other tenants occupying the building be deposited with the administrator as they
fall due;
(iv) directing that the deposited rents be used, subject to the Court's direction, to the
extent necessary to remedy the conditions alleged in the petition herein and to
(v) directing that the administrator or any other person who may be duly appointed as
City of New York ("DHPD") for the purposes set forth in Section 778(1) of the
RPAPL and to enter into an agreement with DHPD for the repayment of those
monies;
(vi) authorizing DHPD to compute a statement of account and file a charge against the
(vii) finding that Respondents 919 Prospect Avenue LLC, Aegis Realty Mngm Corp.,
"C"
(viii) issuing Class violations based on the violation of §27-2005(d);
(xi) directing Respondents-Owners to pay a civil penalty of no less than $2,000 and no
more than $10,000 for each dwelling unit wherein a violation of §27-2005(d)
occurred; and
(xii) providing such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper,
attorneys'
including an award of fees;
(i) directing Respondents-Owners to correct conditions set forth herein as well as any
and all other violations of the Housing Maintenance Code, Building Code and
Petitioners'
Multiple Dwelling Law that exist in apartments and the public areas
of the building;
relocated"
manner, necessary to restore all "temporarily Petitioners to possession
2115, et seq. of the Administrative Code for failing to correct the outstanding
(ix) directing the Respondents-Owners to pay a civil penalty of no less than $2,000
and no more than $10,000 for each unit wherein a violation of §27-
dwelling
(x) providing such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper,
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the petition also prays that such administrator
or any other person who may be duly appointed as administrator for the subject premises at a
later time be authorized to borrow monies from DHPD for the purposes set forth in Section
778(1) of the RPAPL, and to enter into an agreement with DHPD for the repayment of those
monies, and that DHPD be authorized to compute a statement of account and file a charge
against the subject premises pursuant to Section 778(1) of the RPAPL and article 8 of subchapter
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if at the time the petition is heard, the owner
or any mortgagee or lienor of record fails to interpose and establish a defense to the allegations
of the petition, a final judgment may be rendered as demanded in the petition and described
least eight (8) days before the time at which it is noticed to be heard, you must
at least three (3) days before the petition is noticed to be heard by serving a copy
York, Bronx County. In addition, you must appear before the Court at the time
December 3, 2016
Yours, etc.
Petitioners
-against-
Respondents
-----------------------------------------X
Bronx, New York 10459 (also known as 830 East 163rd Street Bronx, New York 10459)
("Subject Building"), a multiple dwelling which, upon information and belief, consists of
"A"
35 Class residential dwelling units. The Department of Housing Preservation and
(1)
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"A"
Development ("DHPD") has, however, registered the premises as having 37 Class
hereto.
pursuant to Article 7A of the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law ("RPAPL").
"A"
3. Upon information and belief, there are 35 total Class residential
4. Upon information and belief, the Super occupies one of the 35 units,
5. Upon information and belief, five (5) of the 35 units do not have a tenant
of record. However, two (2) of those five (5) vacant units serve as relocation apartments
for rent-regulated tenants displaced due to the partial demolition of their permanent units
at the Subject Building. (See Burnham Affidavit at ¶ 9(c)). Upon information and belief,
have been executed between the Petitioners and Respondents-Owners. All DOB, ECB,
Stop Work Orders and DOB Vacate Orders are annexed hereto as Exhibit B.
"A"
There are 37 class units registered on the DHPD website but, upon information and belief, there are
"A"
only 35 class units at the Subject Building. (See Affidavit of Anna Burnham at ¶ 9(a)).
(2)
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children have asthma such that they cannot remain in the unit during
6. Upon information and belief, at least four (4) of the occupied apartments
Site"
at the Subject Building are occupied by participants of the New York City "Cluster
2
Program and/or Scatter Site Housing Program (SSHP). (See, Burnham Affidavit at ¶
9(e)).Upon information and belief, all of the Petitioning apartments are rent-regulated.
7. Upon information and belief, the Petitioner from Apartment 1G has lived
at the Subject Building with her family for two (2) years as a subtenant of Housing
Services Incorporated, a non-profit service provider and a participant in the Cluster Site
2 Site,"
While most programs intended to house formerly homeless New Yorkers employ the term "Cluster
Program"
some programs may still use the previous nomenclature "New York City Scatter Site Housing
Site"
(SSHP). For the purposes of this Petition, "Cluster and SSHP will be used interchangeably.
3 apartment"
This "occupied count does not include the super's unit or the two previously vacant
apartments serving as temporary apartments for relocated tenants and occupants.
(3)
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9. Upon information and belief, there are also six (6) occupied commercial
units in the buildings and one (1) vacant commercial unit (Unit IB, formerly a dentist's
vacant).4
office is currently (See, Burnham Affidavit at ¶ 9(f)).
Petitioners'
10. A list of the names, their apartment numbers and monthly rent
H. THE RESPONDENTS
A. RESPONDENTS-OWNERS:
11. Upon information and belief, 919 PROSPECT AVENUE LLC is the
owner of the Subject Building, which was last registered with DHPD pursuant to Sections
27-2097, et seq. of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. (h Exhibit A).
Upon information and belief, 919 PROSPECT AVENUE LLC is also the grantee of the
last deed of record affecting the Subject Building. The Deed for the Subject Building is
12. Upon information and belief, SETH MILLER is the Head Officer of 919
PROSPECT AVENUE LLC as well as the managing agent, and partner member of the
13. Upon information and belief, AEGIS REALTY MNGM CORP is the
managing agent of the Subject Building in addition to SETH MILLER. (h Exhibit A).
"Respondents-Owners."
and AEGIS REALTY MNGM shall be referred to herein as
B. RESPONDENT-MORTGAGE HOLDER
4 "dwellings"
These commercial units are not pursuant to RPAPL § 782. Accordingly, the commercial
units do not count towards the one-third threshold required under RPAPL § 770(1).
(4)
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15. Upon information and belief, the mortgage holder of the Subject Building
hereto as Exhibit D.
C. RESPONDENTS-LIENORS:
16. Upon information and belief, there are three lienors of record. The title
b. The CITY OF NEW YORK, located at 100 Gold Street, Room 6-01, New
DEVELOPMENT located at 100 Gold Street, New York, New York 10038.
D. RESPONDENTS-AGENCIES:
New York charged with enforcing the various laws, rules, and regulations pertaining "to
the maintenance, use, occupancy, safety or sanitary condition of any building or portion
place."
dwelling N.Y. City Charter § 1802[1].
("DOB") is the agency of the City of New York charged with enforcing, "with respect to
buildings and structures, such provisions of the building code, zoning resolution, multiple
5 Bank"
Upon information and belief, Flushing Savings Bank has changed its named to "Flushing since
Respondents-Owners took out their mortgage in 2012 (See Exhibit D) https://www.f'esingbañk com/.
(5)
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dwelling law, labor law and other laws, rules and regulations as may govern the
city."
mechanical equipment and inspection of buildings or structures in the N.Y. City
Charter § 643.
MENTAL HYGIENE ("DOHMH") is the agency of the City of New York with
York,"
"jurisdiction to regulate all matters affecting health in the city of New and is
charged with the "[e]nforce[ment of] all provisions of law applicable in the area under the
jurisdiction of the department for the preservation of human life, for the care, [and]
."
promotion and protection of health . . N.Y. City Charter § 556.
20. Conditions dangerous to life, health and safety exist and have existed in
the Subject Building for a period of five (5) days or more. These conditions include, but
are not limited to, those described in Schedule B (common area conditions) and
toilet, sink, shower), inadequate heat and hot water, structural instability, mold, water
leaks, badly damaged ceiling and walls, lead paint, mice, rats, roaches, and bedbugs. The
DHPD Open Violation Sunüñary Report December 1, 2016 is annexed hereto as Exhibit
F.
22. Upon information and belief, as of December 1, 2016 there were currently
at least 271 open violations of record of the Housing Maintenance Code in the building,
(6)
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"I"
3 Class violations. (See Exhibit F).
"C"
23. The Class violations include lead paint, rats, defective concrete
"C"
ceilings in the common area vestibule, water leaks, Class paint and plaster violations,
"C"
missing bathtubs, sinks, and toilets, Class mold (at least 30 square feet) violations,
rusting bathtubs, broken floors, broken wall tiles, defective bathtub faucets, sealed off
bathroom doors, lack of electrical services, and a leaking roof (S_ee Exhibit F).
"I"
24. The Class violations include a vacate order on apartment 5D (vacate
#125988) as well as 4D (vacate # 125988) due to fire damage. (S_ee Exhibit F).
Petitioners' occupants'
and their right to peaceably enjoy their apartment through
26. In October of 2016, the DOHMH placed lead dust violations at the Subject
Building after reports of unsafe and illegal construction. A true copy of the lead dust test
and inspection report of the DOHMH dated October 2016 are annexed hereto as Exhibit
G.
Program ("AEP") in 2013, and, upon information and belief, remains in the program as to
date. A true copy of DHPD's list of 2013 Alternative Enforcement Program Buildings is
28. Upon information and belief, Mr. Miller has been named "Worst
Landlord"
in the Bronx but the New York City Public Advocate's Office. Annexed
(7)
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hereto as Exhibit I is a true copy of the Public Advocate's Landlord Watch List website
at the Subject Premises that, upon information and belief, has been restored for criminal
contempt and will be heard on December 15, 2016 (HP No. 032940/15). Despite these
"C"
cases, there remains 271 violations, including 86 Class immediately hazardous
"I"
violations, and 3 Class violations, including two (2) DHPD vacate orders for
described in Schedule C, upon information and belief, there are hazardous structural
Petitioners' occupants'
conditions at the Subject Building that could jeopardize and
health, life and safety. Annexed hereto is the affidavit of Doug Timmons, a former
supervisor with more than 30 years of experience inspecting and renovating residential
31. On November 16, 2016, Mr. Timmons inspected the common areas as
32. Mr. Timmons recommended in his inspection that no further work occur at
the Subject Building unless and until (i) a structural engineer prepares plans with DOB;
(ii) DOB approves those plans, and; (iii) an expert is assigned to oversee all work.
(8)
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Finally, Mr. Timmons recommends that each apartment receive a thorough inspection by
33. In addition to the DHPD vacate orders on apartments 4D and 5D, DOB
has also placed a partial vacate order placed on the Cellar. (h Exhibit F: DHPD
Violations, Class "I"; See also Exhibit B: DOB partial vacate orders).
34. Upon information and belief, there are 12 open Environmental Control
Board ("ECB") violations place on the Building, three (2) of which ECB placed for
35. DOB has placed seven (7) currently open violations at the Subject
36. Upon information and belief, Respondents have performed illegal and
37. As described in paragraphs 41-42, infra, Apartments IC, ID, 1E, 2A, 3E
and 4E have had, and continue to have, no access or only partial access to their bathroom
(See e.g. Exhibit B: DOB stop work order and ECB-DOB violations for Apartment 3E).
38. In Apartment 4E, Mr. Timmons, the construction specialist who inspected
the Subject Building on November 16, 2016, observed an unfmished renovation site in
which Respondents-Owners had sealed off access to the bathroom. He also observed an
open ceiling. Mr. Timmons reported that no work had occurred for three (3) months, and
that since renovations began, the apartment has not been fit for human habitation. (See
(9)
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39. DOB and ECB have also placed a number of violations for illegal work at
the premises:
9/28/2016 DOB: 102216C03EH02 Partial stop work order in Apt 3E-Appx 50% of
ECB: 3516781IX work done without a permit.
Petitioners' repairs"
apartments in order to perform "routine but have instead conducted
illegal demolition, posing a danger to the health, life and safety of Petitioners and their
families as well as depriving them of use of their bathrooms. (S_ee Exhibits B, F & G).
Petitioners'
41. Due to Respondents unlawful demolition of portions of
apartments and/or other renovations, several Petitioners and their families have been
14).
senior citizen (age 72), temporarily relocated outside the Subject Building to
(10)
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the family to move to a second relocation apartment located within the Subject
(vacate order). This family includes six (6) children, five (5) of whom are
seven (7) years of age or younger. Apartment 3E currently does not have a
functional bathroom. DOB has placed a stop work order for on the bathroom
of Apartment 3E. Even though the relocation apartments (4A) and (4D) have
a bathroom, neither has a working stove. (See Exhibit B: Stop work order;
Mr. Rosendo and his family return to Apartment 3E in order to cook meals or
"C"
use an electric hot plate. DHPD has also placed a Class violation for lead
paint in 2012 in Apartment 3E, and that violation remains outstanding to date.
Affidavit at ¶ 14(b)).
c. Apartment 1E: Petitioner England Torres and her five (5) children had no
neighbors'
During the day, the family visited nearby relatives or apartments.
(11)
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When the family needed to use the bathroom in the evening, they would use a
installed a bathtub and toilet during the week of November 21, 2016;
however, the bathroom still has no sink. (h Exhibit J for photos; Exhibit F:
d. Apartment 2A: The Reverend Leander Hardaway, his wife, and his five (5)
"A"
children have relocated to Apartment (formerly the Super's unit) due to a
rodent infestation, bathroom mold, and structural concerns with the bathroom
relocation. Because four (4) of the Reverend Hardaway's minor children have
asthma, the family agreed to relocate, and has lived in Apartment A since
November 26, 2016. The six (6) family members are living in only two (2)
demolished the bathroom in Apartment 2A and work has not continued since
42. Upon information and belief, the tenants and occupants of Apartment 1D
only have partial use of their bathroom. In late June of 2016, Respondents-Owners
removed Apartment 1D's bathroom sink, as well as one of the bathroom walls.
Respondents have yet to complete the work, leaving the family with no bathroom sink.
(See Exhibit J for photos). Construction work in this household likely poses a grave risk
to the children living in the home. Several young children live in Apartment 1D, and at
least one (1) child, aged one (1), has tested positive for lead poisoning, scoring a lead
(12)
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level of 8 ug/dl. A redacted copy of a child occupant's lead report is annexed hereto as
#102216C03EH03 for work without a permit in bathroom of ID; See Also Burnham
Affidavit at ¶ 14(c).
43. Upon information and belief, at this time Apartments 1A and 3E do not
44. Due to illegal and reckless construction, upon information and belief, the
DOHMH found elevated levels of lead dust at the Subject Premises, posing a severe
Apartment ID has tested positive for lead poisoning, scoring a lead level of 8 ug/dl. (See,
Exhibit K; Burnham Affidavit at ¶ 14(c)). Upon information and belief, the child has
46. In addition, upon information and belief, more young children living at the
Subject Building have been tested for suspected lead poisoning but the results of those
tests are not yet available. (he Exhibit G & Exhibit K).
2016. Dust swabs revealed elevated level of lead dust at the Subject Building due to
5th
unsafe construction practices. For example, the floor public hallway steps and floor
showed a dust level of 260 ug/ft2, or 6.5 times the legal levels. DOHMH swab tests also
4th
revealed elevated lead dust levels on the floor hallways stairs/floor (See Exhibit G at
14).
(13)
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48. In addition to elevated levels of lead dust discovered within the common
areas of the Subject Building, DOHMH's inspector noted unsafe work practices
described as follows:
one (1) year, has been tested for lead poisoning and tests reveal elevated levels of lead in
50. A blood lead level of 8 ug/dl, such as the level demonstrated by the child
Petitioner Vasquez's child. The diverse and often severe injuries to young children from
lead ingestion are generally irreparable, and indeed, current science has now found that
even very low blood lead levels, "as low as two (2) micrograms per deciliter ("µg/dL") in
children under seven (7) years old lowers IQ, stunts growth and causes behavioral
problems."
Williamsburg Around the Bridge Block Ass'n v. Giuliani, 223 A.D.2d 64, 66
(l"
Dep't 1996); see also Lanphear, Cognitive Deficits Associated with Blood Lead
Concentrations < 10 µg/dL in US Children and Adolescents, 115 Public Health Reports
521-29 (Nov.-Dec. 2000) (fmding a one point decrement in reading scores for every 1
µg/dL increase in blood lead level above 1.0 µg/dL); Lanphear, Subclinical Lead Toxicity
(14)
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in U.S. Children and Adolescents, 47 Pediatric Research (4) 152A (2000); NYCCELP
v. Vallone, 100 N.Y. 2d 337, 342-43 (2003) ("Even low levels of blood lead have been
acuity"),
level"
51. The federal Center for Disease Control ("CDC") uses the "reference
of 5 ug/dL to identify children whose blood lead levels are much higher than most
children's levels and recommend initiation of public health actions. See, President's
Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, Key Federal
'safe'
52. The CDC has noted the "data demonstrating that no threshold for
identified."
blood lead levels in young children has been CDC, Preventing Lead
2005);7
Poisoning in Young Children, (August See Also, Lidsky, Schneider, Lead
than"
magnitude lower 10 µg/dL and concluding that the "existing literature indicates that
the safe level of lead in the blood has not yet been identified.").
53. In at least seven (7) apartments at the Subject Building, DHPD has placed
"C"
Class violations for lead paint. These apartments include 1D, 2B, 3D, 3E, 4F, 4G,
5A.8
and
6 available at
https://ptfeeh.niehs.nih.gov/features/assets/files/key_federal programs_to reduce_childhood_lead_exposur
es_and_eliminate_associated_health_impactspresidents_508.pdf.
7 available at www.cde.gov/nceh/lead/Publications/PrevLeadPoisoning.pdf.
8 While
apartments 2B, 4F, 5A, and 3D are not Petitioning apartments, construction performed in these
units, given the presence of lead paint, may pose a danger to the health, life and safety of tenants and
occupants of Petitioning apartments.
(15)
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Petitioners and their occupants of consistent heat and hot water. In November of 2016,
early into the heating season, DHPD has already placed two (2) heat and hot water related
"C"
Class violations for failure to provide hot water in Apartment IE (Violation
55. In 2012, during the first winter Respondents-Owners had deed to the
Subject Building, upon information and belief, DHPD initiated two (2) heat and hot water
cases against Respondents-Owners (HP No. 21428/12 and HP No. 75871/12). To date,
the inadequate provision of heat and hot water continues to pose a danger to health, life
(16)
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amount of heat in the morning and a small amount in the evening, causing a lack of heat
and hot water throughout various portions of the day and night.
57. There are also numerous ECB/DOB violations related to the boiler at the
3/13/2015 DOB: 030315LBLVIO04882 Failure to file annual boiler 2013 inspection report.
5/15/2014 DOB: 051514LBLVIO07438 Failure to file annual boiler 2012 inspection report.
58. Upon information and belief, building-wide, the water faucets in the
kitchens and bathrooms release brown, murky water. (See Burnham Affidavit at ¶ 17).
services"
770(1). This conduct includes "continued deprivation of and constructive
evictions.
Respondents-Owners'
60. harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to,
repeated service disruptions in violation of NYC Admin Code 27-2004 § (48)(b), and
(17)
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quiet"
others acts meant to "disturb the comfort, repose, peace, or of tenants and their
occupants as well as acts "intended to cause any person lawfully entitled to occupancy of
occupancy."
NYC Admin Code 27-2004 § (48)(g).
tenants'
61. By removing bathrooms as described above in paragraphs 40-43
illegal construction, and failing to provide heat and hot water, Respondents-Owners have
cause" waive"
"intended to tenants and lawful occupants "to vacate. . . surrender. or their
Affidavit at ¶ 19)).
tenants such that they vacate their apartments, Respondents-Owners then negotiate
contracts with the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and other
non-profit service providers to rent the units to formerly homeless occupants participating
64. Through the Cluster Site Program, upon information and belief,
Respondents-Owners have been able to increase rents in excess of the amounts that the
Investigation (DOI), DHS found that the average nightly rate for an apartment in a
(18)
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with Cluster Site units to average rents in the same areas, "DOI concluded that the City is
conditions."9
paying two to three times market rate for these substandard living
four (4) units at the Subject Building in the Cluster Site Program/SSHP.
Respondents-Owners'
67. Upon information and belief, due to renting
apartments to transient Cluster Site Program participants, the Subject Buildings has
experieñced an increase in foot traffic and a concomitant need for janitorial services and
services.IO
security. Respondents-Owners, however, have failed to provide such
adequate janitorial services at the Subject Building in accordance with this increased foot
traffic, and Petitioners and their occupants have encountered security issues due to the
69. Upon information and belief, the harassment necessitating an RPAPL 7-A
Respondents-Owners.
(19)
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deprived Petitioners and their occupants of consistent heat and hot water at the Subject
71. Upon information and belief, Respondent Seth Miller has engaged in a
pattern and practice of depriving tenants of heat and hot water at both the Subject
decision by the Honorable Marina Cora Mundy finding Respondent Seth Miller in
contempt of court for depriving Brooklyn rent-stabilized tenants of heat and hot water
over the course of more than a year (HP No. 3300/13/HP No. 3301/13 for the premises
knowns as 930 and 940 Prospect Place Brooklyn, NY). The court order requires Mr.
Miller to pay DHDP $922,000 in civil penalties. A copy of a three-part New York Times
M.1I
series featuring these buildings is also annexed heretofore as Exhibit
Miller for failing to provide tenants with adequate heat and hot water in buildings owned
York.12
or controlled by him throughout the City of New
74. Upon information and belief, the following are DHDP-initiated HP actions
against Respondent Miller for the lack of heat and/or hot water in Manhattan, Brooklyn,
"
A notice of Appeal has been filed by both Petitioners and Respondents in this matter.
12
These are cases in which Mr. Miller is named. Any buildings registered only under the name of an LLC
or Management company would not appear in this list.
(20)
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HP No. 491/05 3524 Broadway, MH DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 24/05 736 Riverside Drive, MH DHPD initiated case Heat and hot water
HP No. 21428/12 919 Prospect Avenue, BX DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 75871/12 919 Prospect Avenue, BX DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 1514/13 940 Prospect Place, BK DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 3219/13 930 Prospect Place BK DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 463/13 930 Prospect Place, BK DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 246/14 940 Prospect Place, BK DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 1702/14 1616 Amsterdam Avenue, MH DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 3172/14 930 Prospect Place, BK DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 19991/15 8305 Review Place, BX DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 19990/15 8301 Review Place, BX DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 291005 930 Prospect Place, BK DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
HP No. 2702/16 940 Prospect Place, BK DHPD initiated case heat and hot water
RELOCATIONS
Petitioners'
engaged in unlawful demolition of apartments, and deprived Petitioners and
their occupants of basic services such as the use of their bathroom or stoves.
repairs,"
Petitioners and their Occupants that workers would perform only "routine but
instead, workers have illegally demolished portions of their apartments and left them
without the use of their bathrooms for a period of months. (See Burnham Affidavit at ¶
77. In several of these instances, Petitioners and their occupants have had no
choice but to temporarily relocate without adequate (or in some cases, any)
compensation. Apartments 2A and 3E are currently relocated within the Subject Building
(21)
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78. Upon information and belief, the dust from this construction makes it hard
for Petitioners, their occupants, and their guest to breath. (SSee Burnham Affidavit at ¶ 12;
Exhibit G at pg. 10, describing dusty conditions due to unsafe construction practices).
Petitioners'
Petitioners, and invaded right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of their
Petitioners for rent in their apartments in contravention of the Rent Stabilization Law and
Code. Apartments alleging rent overcharges, include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Apartment 1D and 2A. Rent histories for these apartments are annexed hereto as Exhibit
N.
81. As described in Section III, supra, other dire conditions exist at the Subject
Building, including lead paint, lead dust, rats, roaches, mice bedbugs, structural damage,
82. All of these actions in the aggregate, the suspension of services, the failure
to make timely repairs, and the harassing conduct justify the appointment of a 7-A
administrator.
(22)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
the RPAPL for the building located 919 PROSPECT AVENUE, BRONX, NEW YORK
10459;
ii. Directing that, pursuant to Section 776 of the RPAPL, the rents due on the
date of entry of said judgment from the Petitioning tenants and the rents due of the dates
of service of said judgment on all other residential and nonresidential tenants occupying
the building from such other tenants be deposited with the administrator;
iii. Directing that any rents to become due in the future from the Petitioners
and from all other tenants occupying the building be deposited with the administrator as
iv. Directing that any rents be used, subject to the Court's direction, to the
extent necessary to remedy the conditions alleged in the petition herein and to undertake
v. Directing that the administrator or any other person who may be duly
appointed as administrator for the subject premises at a later time be authorized to borrow
monies from HPD for the purposes set forth in Section 778(1) of the RPAPL and to enter
against the subject premises pursuant to Section 778(1) of the RPAPL and Article 8 of
"C"
viii. Issuing Class violations based on the violation of §27-2005(d);
(23)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
$2,000 and no more than $10,000 for each unit wherein a violation of §27-
dwelling
xii. Providing such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and
proper.
entered:
well as any and all other violations of the Housing Maintenance Code,
petitioners'
Building Code and Multiple Dwelling Law that exist in
relocated"
manner, necessary to restore all "temporarily Petitioners to
Code and Multiple Dwelling Law within the time required by law;
(24)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
"C"
vi. Issuing Class violations based on the violation of §27-2005(d
viii.
Ordering the Respondents-Owners to refrain from violating §
ix.
directing the Respondents-Owners to pay a civil penalty of no
$2,000 and no more than $10,000 for each dwelling unit wherei
x. Providing such other and further relief as the Court may deem
attorneys'
proper, including an award of fees.
December 3, 2016
HAŸVÈY EPSTEIN, E
Addrana Montgomery E
16th
123 William St., FlO
2A Rev. Leander Hardaway & Ikuko Hardaway (temporarily relocated to Apt. $1,849.15
3E Zenaido Rosendo and Marialuisa Vidal (temporarily relocated to Apt. 4D) $1,868.38
13
Clara Wainwright, the tenant of record for 4E, is temporarily relocated, with the knowledge and consent
of Respondents-Owners. Ms. Wainwright moved due to the demolition of her bathroom and other
conditions dangerous to her health, life and safety at Apartment 4E. Her brothers Bobby and Richard
Wainwright remain in the apartment. At this time, Respondents-Owners have provided a $650.00
abatement so that Clara Wainwright can pay her rent at the relocation apartment located outside of the
Subject Building (the relocation unit rent is $650/month).
(26)
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
AREA CONDITIONDESCRIPTION
All Rats present
(27)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(28)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(29)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(30)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(31)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(32)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(33)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(34)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(35)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(36)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
wood.
Bedroom 1: Floors are warped
Bedroom 1: Floors have holes
Bedroom 1: Floor tiles missing/broken
Bedroom 1: Walls need paint
Bedroom 2: Floors are warped
Bedroom 2: Floors have holes
Bedroom 2: Floor tiles missing/broken
Bedroom 2: Walls need paint
Bedroom 2: Need outlets in small bedroom
(37)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(38)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(39)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(40)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(41)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(42)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(43)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(44)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(45)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(46)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(47)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
(48)
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Wilmer Rodriguez, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
STE
December 3, 2016 Of
New York, NY
Sworn
,8K..,,
"""""
day o
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insertrame]
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
-----------------------X
STATE OF NEW YORK )
) :SS.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
Apartment IC, and she informed me that she understood the contents of the
'-
NO
NEW
OF
COMM
YORK
OUALIFIED
EX
03-19-2O2D
P IN
02RU6257873
COUNTY
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Florencio Jesus Villa, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and sa
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[i r me]
December 3, 2016
() crsu
New York, NY .
\ Swom
day o
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Lilian Jesus Vasquez, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert name]
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
---------- ----------------------X
STEPHANIE RUDOLPH, an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the Courts of the State of
New York, hereby affirms the following facts under penalty of perjury
December 3, 2016
'Ÿ(ephanie 1(udoÍpl( Esq.
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
England Torres, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert name]
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
3 day
O O
00 O
60
o 00
O
- O
.•*NO
NEW
QUALI
" YORK
COMM
FIED
EXP
IN02RU625787
'-
f COUNTY.
5
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Rochelle Johnson, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say th
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert name]
December 2016
3,
RCJL½à\C
New York, NY ,
Sworn
day o
u
PH
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Leander Hardaway, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert name]
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
oinn, 3 day o
aryfublide t f of/ Y
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Ikuko Hardaway, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that
be true.
[i ert name]
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Petra Ramos, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert name]
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Swom
day o
PafíIic
- S ate of NY STE
Notary
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
--..----- __-----------------------------------X
STEPHANIE RUDOLPH, an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the Courts of the State of
New York, hereby affirms the following facts under penalty of perjury
within Petition from English to Spanish to Petra Ramos of Apartment 2C and she
December 3, 2016
#tdpfianie Rudolph, E q.
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
of+h [inse
name]
December t, 2016 ) Vn
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Maria Rodriguez, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[inserrareT-
day o
f)utrfiâ - State2NY
ary
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
ss.:
}
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Jose Diaz, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
/ [insert
namef
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
b
day
mittsfif f
HAN
W
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Irina Diaz, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert name]
December 3, 2016 3.6 /Nc^
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
- tahf NY
y
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
yERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Yvonne Pagan, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[msert na
b day
Public - S at ofNY
otary
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Maria L. Lopez, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[msert name]
December 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day
o 02LE6263465
Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
------------- --------------------X
MICHAEL LEONARD, an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the Courts of the State ofNew
she confirmed for me that the contents are true and accurate.
December 4, 2016 4,
fiWael Leonard, Esg/
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Zenaido Rosendo, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say tha
be true.
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
\ Sworn
day o
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Marialuisa Vidal, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert
name]
December 3, 2016 N\c^r c otu
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
---------X
New York, hereby affirms the following facts under penalty of perjury
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Mary L. Martinez, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say th
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Edna Rivera, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert name]
December 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day
Commissioned in Bronx
County
Commission Expires on June 11, 20
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
---------- ----------------------------X
MICHAEL LEONARD, an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the Courts of the State of New
within Petition from English to Spanish to Edna Rivera of Apartment 3G and she
confirmed for me that the contents are true and accurate.
December 4, 2016
Michael Leo d, sq.
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VE_RIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Katherine Rivera, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say tha
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert
name]
December , 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day
yERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Maria Santana, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert riame
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
\
Sworn
day o
|C
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Clara Wainwright, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say th
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[ittserr ane]
December 3, 2016 CLAGA
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Bobby Wainwright, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
ottiBlifff
STE
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
ann Sworn
day
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Richard Wainwright, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
Pùblic - State of NY
diary
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Cerise Campbell, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[i.neert-name]
December 3, 2016
COOL CG
New York, NY
Sworn
\
day
utfttf
STE
'
o(afy Publ(c ¬ fate fif NY o
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
ss.:
}
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Jose Rivera, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
[insert Adme]
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
____------_______________-----------------X
STEPHANIE RUDOLPH, an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the Courts of the State of
New York, hereby affirms the following facts under penalty of perjury
December 3, 2016
S. 'ade Rudolph, Esq.
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATIOly
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Margarita Ramos, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say tha
be true.
[i ert name]
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
------------------------------------------------------X
STEPHANIE RUDOLPH, an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the Courts of the State of
New York, hereby affirms the following facts under penalty of perjury
within Petition from English to Spanish to Margarita Ramos of Apartment 5F, and
she confirmed for me that the contents are true and accurate.
December 3, 2016
tepkfanie Rudolpl(Esq.
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
VERIFICATION
} ss.:
COUNTY OF BRONX }
Juan Rodriguez, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that:
2. I have read or heard read the foregoing Petition and know its contents.
be true.
/'
[insert name]
December 3, 2016
New York, NY
Sworn
day o
PHA
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 6 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2019
-against-
Respondents
---------------------------------------------X
1. I am the Lead Community Organizer for The Banana Kelly Community Improvement
preservation and development of housing. I have eight (8) years of experience in the
non-profit sector, and have worked with tenants in both Chicago and New York City.
2. As Lead Organizer at Banana Kelly, I work with residents in the South Bronx to
tenants'
provide residents education and information about rights, particularly around
dwelling buildings in the South Bronx area, and have met many hundreds of
residents.
containing New York City Scatter Site Housing Program (SSHP) and Cluster Site
Program residents.
5. In my capacity as Lead Organizer at Banana Kelly, I have worked with the residents
2015. As such, I am intimately familiar with the conditions and layout of the premises
6. I have personally inspected 20 of the 25 occupied units at the Subject Building with
the consent of the residents. I have also photographed many of the units.
7. Beginning in October 2016, I started to visit the Subject Building to meet with
residents regularly (about once every other week), and I speak with residents daily.
Petitioners'
8. I have also counted the units at the Subject Building, and provided the
count"
Attorney, Stephanie Rudolph of the Urban Justice Center a detailed "unit after
b. Twenty-nine (29) occupied residential dwelling units (not including the Super's
apartment);
c. Five (5) vacant residential dwelling units, two (2) of which are temporarily
d. One (1) Apartment (Apartment 4F) is occupied by the Super, an employee of the
owner;
e. Four (4) of the occupied units house residents of the SSHP and/or Cluster Site
Program, and as such, are not being treated as rent-regulated at this time; and
f. Seven (7) commercial units, one (1) of which is vacant. The occupied commercial
units include the following businesses: liquor store, bakery, grocery store, barber
10. The conditions at 919 Prospect Avenue are the worst I have observed in my time as
an organizer at Banana Kelly in the South Bronx. I have never seen an owner
also shocked by how long residents have been deprived of access to basic amenities
11. When I first reached out to the residents of 919 Prospect Avenue in late 2015, I
learned that many residents had been denied basic services. They expressed grave
concern that the Owner was to maintain apartments in order to compel long-
failing
term rent-regulated tenants to surrender their apartments. They observed that the
Owner had begun renting vacant units to Scatter Site/Cluster Site residents. At that
12. When I returned to the building in the fall of 2016, I observed many construction sites
as well as dust and debris in vacant and occupied units. Families with children and the
elderly expressed particular health and safety concerns, and many residents reported
trouble breathing. I personally have trouble breathing while in the building due to the
construction dust.
13. Construction Concerns: The Owner and his agents commenced construction not just
in the vacant units but in occupied apartment units. Many of these units include
young children and senior citizens. Workers ripped out bathrooms, ceilings, walls,
14. Teñañts without Working Bathrooms: Several apartments lack working bathrooms.
a. Apartment 4E: In early October 2016, I started speaking with Clara Wainwright
of Apartment 4E. Three months before, the Owner gained access to her apartment
had not had a bathroom for more than three (3) months. In addition, the kitchen
ceiling had been removed. Because Ms. Wainwright is 73-years-old, she spent
most of her time at home and began having difficulty breathing due to
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construction dust. Banana Kelly worked with the Public Advocate to temporarily
relocate Ms. Wainwright to one of Banana Kelly's units. Ms. Wainwright receives
a partial rent abatement to help cover her rent at the temporary apartment but has
not received any other compensation or moving assistance from the Owner. Ms.
Wainwright's younger brothers, Bobby and Richard, have not relocated at this
Apartment 3E. The household has six (6) child occupants, ages 15, 7, 6, 5, 3 and
3. Because agents of the Owner demolished the family's bathroom, they have
previously vacant). Apartment 4A and 4D lack a stove and have other dangerous
receiving no rent abatement or other compensation, and does not have a written
agreement governing the relocation. They are very concerned about the lead dust
c. Apartment 1D: The family in Apartment 1D also includes young children. The
Owner also had their bathroom demolished and the apartment lacks a bathroom
sink at this time. The bathroom walls are also under construction. The apartment
d. Apartment 1E: England Torres and her family, including five (5) children, one of
whom is not even one (1) year old, spent six (6) weeks this fall without any access
to their bathroom. They had to use a bucket and bathe their children in the sink.
They recently received a bathtub and toilet but do not have a bathroom sink.
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15. Lead Paint Concerñs: From speaking with residents, I spoke to four (4) separate
families with children who expressed concern that the construction dust had affected
their children's breathing. DHPD has placed lead paint violations in several of these
units, and these violations have been open for many years. At least one child (1D) has
16. Lack of Heat and Hot Water: I am also concerned about the Owner withholding
heat and hot water from the tenants and residents. It has been cold in the building
17. Brown Water: Tenants report, and I have observed, brown water coming out of all
18. Security and crime: With the increase in Scatter Site/Cluster Site resident renting
areas, an increase in general foot traffic, as well as an increase in crime. The intercom
at the building is not working and unknown individuals enter the building for short
building, including a liquor store, tenants are particularly concerned about safety at
this time. Petitioners from apartment 5F currently have a restraining order against the
Scatter Site occupants who formerly resided in Apartment 5A, after the Scatter Site
occupant kicked the tenant, causing him to fall. I believe the occupant of 5A has since
moved out.
19. Other Conditions: I am concerned about many of the other serious conditions at the
building that pose a danger to the health, life and safety of tenants and their families. I
believe the lack of working stoves demonstrates particular negligence given that it is
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not difficult or expensive for Owners to replace stoves (now 3E and 1A do not have
access to consistent working stoves). The demolition of walls and ceilings, leaks,
mold, and the infestation of rats, mice, roaches, bedbugs and other pests also pose
20. This has been in the Alternative Enforcement Program since 2013-
building (AEP)
nearly four (4) years. It is listed as the Worst Building in the Bronx on the Public
cases as well as heat and hot water cases against Mr. Miller over the course of the last
few years since he became the Owner. None of these actions and proceedings have
have only worsened, and more residents, particularly children, have become sick.
21. The Owner has failed time and time again to complete construction or repair the
311, the Public Advocate's office and city agencies. Based on my observations and
discussions with residents, I believe the Owner intends to compel the tenants to
surrender their units and bring in Scatter/Cluster Site residents in order to raise the
rents.
22. Mr. Miller has offered low buyouts to tenants (a few thousand dollars) as well as
vacate. Mr. Miller has chosen to carry out his business model in a dangerous, illegal,
and unacceptable manner. Given these grave concerns, a 7-A Administrator is the
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FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/01/2019 12:23 AM INDEX NO. 450574/2019
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Petitioners,
-against-
Respondents.
---------------- ------------X
2. I have been a general contractor for over 30 years. From 1985 to 1994, I served as the
Building Rehabilitation Monitoring Unit. In this role, I directed and coordinated the
construction operations at DHPD for $50,000,000 worth of contracts, and oversaw the
work of over 60 construction inspectors who were monitoring the construction of DHPD
buildings.
3. Then from 1994 to 1998, I served as a Project Manager for HRA Construction
occupied units within the New York City Public Housing Authority (NYCHA). In that
role, I renovated kitchens and bathrooms, engaged in asbestos removal, installed entrance
4. I have also worked in the private sector for a significant portion of my career, engaging in
6. In this role, I am responsible for the management and maintenance of over 20 residential
conducting inspections, and in the preparation of scopes of work and costs estimates.
7. On November 16, 2016, at the request of Banana Kelly, I personally inspected the
common areas and the inside of several of the apartment units, including units 4E and 5F,
at the building located at 919 Prospect Avenue, Bronx, New York 10459 ("the Subject
Building").
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Petitioners'
area, I submit this affidavit in support of the request for the appointment of an
administrator, pursuant to Article 7-A of the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law.
9. As described below, the Lead Organizer of Banana Kelly, Anna Burnham, brought the
Subject Building to my attention because the Respondents-Owners had begun but not
completed construction work, rendering certain units uninhabitable and/or displacing the
10. Upon entering the building, I observed protective bridging (plywood) that was installed
on the lobby ceiling. The plywood was apparently installed to reinforce the ceiling and
protect residents after the ceiling had been damaged by a water leak. It seems that the
water leak has been fixed, but the ceiling was never repaired.
I. Observations in Apartment 4E
11. After gaining access, with the consent of the residents, I observed the following in
Apartment 4E:
b. The bathroom door was screwed closed preventing the tenants from accessing the
toilet, bathtub, and bathroom sink. I unscrewed the door and was able to access the
bathroom.
c. There was no ceiling in the bathroom and the beams were exposed. I observed
that structural repairs were made to the joists and subfloor of the apartment above
d. I observed new waste piping, supply piping, and a new subfloor to the apartment
above 4E.
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e. The floor of the bathroom in apartment 4E was removed. Plywood was laid over
the floor.
f. The kitchen ceiling had a large section missing. It was covered over with plastic,
and the tenants told me that the plastic had been there for at least a month.
12. According to the resident of apartment 4E, no construction work had occurred for at least
13. Removing and replacing deteriorated joists would necessarily require gutting the bathroom
"E"
and the kitchen of the apartment. Completing such work on all apartments in the line
would require a maximum of two (2) to three (3) months. Therefore, I can see no reasonable
explanation for why this apartment has been left half-renovated with open ceilings,
14. These conditions are hazardous to health, life, and safety of the tenants and occupants of
4E, and in my professional opinion, the apartments is not fit for human habitation.
tenants'
15. Because these conditions continue to be hazardous to the health and safety, I
understand one of the tenants (the eldest of three siblings), has temporarily relocated. The
16. With the permission of the residents, I also observed the following conditions in 5F:
a. The hallway is deflected (sloped) from the apartment door to the kitchen. This
means that the kitchen floor is approximately 4 inches lower than the floor at the
entrance.
b. The floors of the kitchen and the bathroom, which are situated adjacent to the
17. I attempted to inspect additional apartments in the building, but the tenants were not
18. I am informed that several more apartments in the building are undergoing renovations, in
part due to a fire that occurred in the premises. For example, in the public hallway I
observed signs of renovation work going on in apartment 4D, but I was not able to access
19. The construction that I observed in apartment 4E indicates that the owner is conducting
structural repairs. Likewise, the deflection that I observed in apartment 5F is a telltale sign
20. Repairing these conditions would necessarily involve opening the floors, inspecting
underneath, and possibly gutting the interior and replacing the beams beneath the floor.
21. If the beams are not inspected or changed, it is possible that adding additional weight (for
example, installing a new floor over an old one) could comprise the structural integrity of
the apartments.
22. Based on my observation of the conditions in apartments 4E and 5F, it is my belief that the
entire Subject Building should be checked for similar problems, particularly in all humid
23. Accordingly, I recommend that a structural engineer inspect every apartment in the Subject
Building.
24. Further, a structural engineer should prepare plans for DOB approval for renovation of all
25. No further work should be performed without professional supervision and approved
drawings by DOB.
December1, 2016
DO