Tenants to get rent refunds after AG settlement with Newburgh complex

New York Attorney General Letitia James has reached a $400,000 settlement with the owners and managers of Kenney Apartments in Newburgh to address severe habitability issues. The settlement requires Bourne & Kenney Redevelopment Company and other respondents to pay $409,697 in rent credits to residents following allegations of a breach of the warranty of habitability. The complex, which houses over 100 low-income tenants, was found to have suffered from chronic issues including raw sewage leaks, lack of heat and hot water, mold, and pest infestations.

In addition to the financial restitution, the agreement mandates that the management provide monthly progress and compliance reports to the Office of the Attorney General. The landlord must also implement a comprehensive plan to remediate mold, fix plumbing, repair infrastructure, and address all existing and new code violations. Failure to comply with these settlement terms will result in a $100,000 fine.

U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan and Attorney General James both condemned the living conditions, describing them as "absolutely unacceptable" and a result of landlord negligence. The lawsuit, originally filed in February, highlighted 160 code violations, including unsafe electrical wiring and peeling paint, emphasizing the state's commitment to holding negligent landlords accountable for the welfare of vulnerable residents.

(Source：Times Herald-record)