QUESTION
What actions can HPD take against landlords altering apartments post-fire unlawfully, and how can council members assist tenants?
1:34:43
·
4 min
Deputy Commissioner Santiago outlines limited actions by HPD regarding unlawful apartment alterations post-fire, pointing towards other agencies and the importance of tenant complaints through 311.
- HPD lacks direct oversight of renovation permits, focusing instead on tenant rights and post-renovation issues.
- State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) plays a crucial role in addressing tenant rights and apartment reconfiguration after fires.
- Council members are advised to encourage tenants to report violations and issues post-fire through the 311 service.
- Deputy Commissioner Santiago acknowledges HPD's proactive enforcement capabilities in cases of landlord neglect before and after fires.
Carmen N. De La Rosa
1:34:43
I have a question about after a fire.
1:34:46
So a vacate order is lifted, and the landlord proceeds to work on a building that has had a fire.
1:34:54
What we're seeing in my community is that in some instances, landlords are we constructing apartments in ways that do not look the way they did before the fire.
1:35:08
You know, we have the situation 74, 78 posts They were displaced for about 2 years.
1:35:13
After 2 fires back to back in that building, the landlord was obviously negligent in this case.
1:35:19
And now he is, you know, rerenting apartments.
1:35:23
The structure of the building has changed.
1:35:25
Apartment numbers are shifted.
1:35:27
Even the composition of the apartments are different.
1:35:30
So two bedrooms are now one Bedrooms.
1:35:32
You know, it it messes with the stabilization of those units.
1:35:36
For affordability.
1:35:38
And also, it messes with families who, you know, are coming back to apartments that look completely different in the layout than what they were.
1:35:47
What can HPD do to 1 enforce against landlords that are doing these things outside of the realm of the law?
1:35:55
And legality.
1:35:56
And 2, what is our tools as council members when we're receiving the complaints from constituent who after 2 years are finding themselves having to move back into these apartments.
1:36:07
Some of them beautifully renovated However, they don't look like the apartments they left and they have no choice because it's either take this apartment or be homeless.
1:36:17
What can we do?
AnnMarie Santiago
1:36:19
Thank you, council member.
1:36:20
That very complex issue.
1:36:23
It involves the state homes and community renewal.
1:36:28
If the tenants are rent regular They didn't I think in this building that is clearly the case.
1:36:40
HPD does not approve or look at the permits that the owner is getting to do some of the renovation.
1:36:47
And so reach out to HCR about what attendant's rights are given the reconfiguration of the apartment.
Carmen N. De La Rosa
1:36:56
Great.
1:36:56
I'm looking forward to DOB, but I also just as a follow-up, if we know that the landlord is creating situations that are egregious for tenants before the fire and after Mhmm.
1:37:07
What can PD specifically do to proactively use council member DeNoz's words proactively enforce against this landlord.
AnnMarie Santiago
1:37:15
Mhmm.
1:37:16
Certainly, before the fire, before anything happens, if a building is just in poor condition, you know, you shouldn't be encouraging tenants to file complaints As violations are issued, buildings become eligible for a number of different HPD enhanced enforcement programs or litigation.
1:37:34
And so, you know, you should always reach out to to Nicole in her office or to us regarding those specific instances.
1:37:44
After the fire if tenants return, and again, with this configuration issue aside, if there are issues with the maintenance of the property, and especially a fire like Post Avenue where we are monitoring that, certainly reach out to us again encourage tenants to to take the action to call 311 and let us know what the specific issues are.
1:38:06
You know, tenant harassment is real and You know, this isn't a hearing about that, but certainly, HPD has a lot of tools.
1:38:13
DOB has tools regarding tenant harassment issues.
Carmen N. De La Rosa
1:38:18
Thank you.
UNKNOWN
1:38:23
I'm not familiar with the specific building you referenced, but how to follow-up to look into the specifics.
1:38:27
But my understanding is also that it would be a state issue regarding what the rights of tenants are to return We have heard of similar incidents in the past, and we've cooperated with tenants who've had these concerns.
1:38:40
We've helped them track down the original plans for the building.
1:38:43
So so that's our experience.
1:38:45
But happy to look into the specifics right there.
Carmen N. De La Rosa
1:38:47
Okay.
1:38:47
I'll be reaching out and share it by me.