Large NYC landlord accused of neglecting buildings agrees to $2 million settlement

New York City landlord A&E Real Estate has agreed to a $2.1 million settlement with the city to resolve over 4,000 code violations and allegations of tenant harassment at 14 buildings in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Friday. The agreement concludes a year-and-a-half legal battle initiated by Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, addressing issues like roach infestations, water leaks, and broken lights. The settlement impacts approximately 750 tenants and represents the largest in the Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Anti-Harassment Unit’s history. A&E Real Estate CEO Donald Hastings characterized the settlement as a collaborative effort to improve properties acquired in disrepair, while also stating they are already implementing a repair plan. Despite the settlement, A&E Real Estate faces an ongoing lawsuit from tenants of La Mesa Verde apartments alleging systemic neglect, and past contributions from A&E Executive Chair Douglas Eisenberg to former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s super PAC have also come to light. Mayor Mamdani, who has made tenant protection a priority, warned that further legal action will be taken if A&E fails to comply with the settlement terms.

(Source：Gothamist)