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After a battle of more than a year, including a trial that spanned more than six months, Grimble & LoGuidice, LLC, prevailed in three 7A proceedings in three buildings – 225 -235 West 146th Street and 301 West 141st Street – with common elements of ownership (different companies owned by the same individual). The landlord lost these buildings in December, and the administrator has begun rehabilitation, aided by loans obtained through HPD. When we started the court cases, there were cascading water leaks down two lines of apartments that had existed for more than a year, and there were more than 1,500 violations in 98 apartments. After the owner tried to escape the appointment of an administrator by filing Chapter 121 Bankruptcy proceedings, after several days of testimony and after visits by a Housing Court judge to the buildings, the Court ruled for the tenant. The landlord promptly transferred the building to new owners under agreements not fully known at this time. The new owners promptly tried to oust the administrator, but have been unable to do so, and the buildings continue to be rehabilitated. An action for damages against the old owners continues in Supreme Court.
Buy outs – where a tenant received money to give up his rights as a tenant: Tenants in two units in a Williamsburg loft received more than $750,000 to vacate. That was an unusual circumstance, but several tenants in Manhattan and Brooklyn apartments have been paid between $25,000 and $75,000 to leave, often where the living situation was unpleasant, at best. For information about the legalities that effect loft tenants, please read "You As A Loft Tenant".
Repairs – In the past year, we have forced owners of two buildings vacated because of fire and structural damage to make repairs, and have preserved our clients’ rent stabilized, low rent tenancies.
