Assemblywoman Davila, representative of the 53^rd assembly district, in partnership with Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman’s Office brought the Bushwick community together on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 to raise an important discussion on Tenant Harassment. “Many Residents throughout NYC have been dealing with tenant harassment issues and unfortunately do not always know the New York State Laws that protect them. It is essential that we educate families on this particular matter because we are talking about peoples’ living conditions, a place they call home, a place to raise a family. It’s demoralizing to see that under vulnerable circumstances families are facing the overcharging of rent, threats and intimidation, along with illegal buyouts and unassisted repairs from their landlords – it has to stop,” Assemblywoman Davila said.

Under the state law, landlords are restricted from allowing any form of condition that may put the tenant’s life, health of safety in danger. Some of the landlord’s responsibilities are as follows:  

• Before the tenant moves in, the residence must be cleaned.
• Adequate lighting must be commenced throughout the common halls and stairways.
• Repairs must promptly be maintained i.e. plumbing, radiators, wiring, heaters, and furnaces
• Apartments and the surrounding area must be free of rodents, insects, and trash.
• Heat must be provided during the winter season, except under the circumstances during repairs, temporary emergencies, and alterations.

“New York’s booming real estate market has left thousands of renters vulnerable to unscrupulous landlords,” said Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. “I am proud of the work our Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force has done to hold bad landlords accountable – including putting notorious landlord Steve Croman behind bars – and to focus city and state resources where they’re needed most. We’ll continue to take on bad landlords and fight for the stronger tenant protection laws necessary to ensure a fair, more just economy that works for everyone.”

“Each year, RiseBoro's Legal Empowerment & Assistance Program (LEAP) successfully works with hundreds of Bushwick residents to stabilize their housing. Our program combines legal representation, tenant organizing, case management, educational outreach, and entitlement advocacy to prevent homelessness and create pathways of opportunities for all residents.

We couldn’t be prouder to host tonight’s event with Assemblywoman Maritza Davila and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman’s office. As Bushwick experiences the pressures of gentrification, it is critical we provide programs designed to connect people to legal resources helping everyone in the community thrive, especially our most vulnerable populations, said RiseBoro Community Partnership CEO, Scott Short.”

“It is our imperative as tenant advocates to help educate our communities about tenant harassment and legal recourse and ensure that community members in Bushwick and every neighborhood in New York City are aware of the vast resources available to them.  MFJ would like to thank Assemblymember Maritza Davila and the State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for encouraging community education and overseeing enforcement of our system of strong tenant protections in New York,” Mobilization for Justice, Inc. (MFJ) states.

Tenant harassment remains to be a problematic issue that fixates on bringing upon an economic influx, pushing community members out of their neighborhoods. Assemblywoman Maritza Davila continues to put forth a strong determination to pass laws that aim to stop tenant harassment. Attorney General Schneiderman oversees criminal investigation as he reprimands landlords who are at fault of tenant harassment. RiseBoro Community Partnership and Mobilization for Justice are two well-known organizations that have helped many community members with this issue and aspire to change families’ living conditions for the better. 

In the interim, New York City and New York State agencies and local elected officials stand united to work together as they tackle the oppressions of society.