Bad landlords are a dime a dozen, but how do you know where yours stacks up in the grand hierarchy of shittiness? Public Advocate Letitia James yesterday released the newly updated NYC Landlord Watchlist, compiled using data from the Department of Housing Preservation, residents and "other sources."
Launched in 2010 by erstwhile Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, the updated version has expanded to nearly 6,800 buildings citywide, and now includes images of buildings and the ability for users to search by borough. Looking for a slumlord while on the go? It's accessible by smart phone, and geocoded in order to find the nearest worst building.
“Today, too many New Yorkers— specifically those living in low-income communities— rent in substandard buildings run by landlords and management agencies that are too lax with basic repairs and upgrades,” Public Advocate Letitia James said in a statement. “I am proud to re-launch the Worst Landlord Watchlist as a tool to highlight our city’s worst offenders, and to help focus the resources of my office and the housing advocacy organizations we partner with. I want to increase access to assistance for landlords who need emergency intervention, but for those landlords who would put income before the health and safety of tenants, my office will continue to monitor and bring forth legal action when necessary.”
According to the Public Advocate, the city's most poorly managed building is at 940 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, pulling a total of 660 violations. Brooklyn's biggest loser is 153 Chauncey Street with 631 violations, Manhattan's is 400 West 57th Street with 649 violations and Queens is 14-15 Mott Avenue with 445 violations. Staten Island is in pretty good shape, with 157 Daniel Low Terrace amassing a piddly 197 violations.
Inclusion on the list requires that buildings with less than 35 units average three open, serious violations. Buildings with more than 35 units must have an average of two open, serious violations per unit.
Peruse for yourself here.
