City officials hope Chetrit arrest serves as warning to landlords

"New York City authorities are claiming a win in their push to enforce standards on landlords after Meyer Chetrit's indictment on felony charges of tenant harassment. The action is an escalation of city enforcement actions against landlords, who are largely subject to administrative penalties and rarely face criminal charges. For folks who are following the law, this evens the playing field, said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Our hope is that the industry would be supportive of this kind of alleged conduct being rooted out."

"Chetrit has been charged with two counts of harassment of a rent-regulated tenant, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison. Chetrit, through defense attorney Jeffrey Chartier, denied the allegations. Bragg cited Chetrit's track record of poor conditions at his properties that persist after penalties and inquiries from the Department of Buildings and Loft Board. That gives the case evidence, but it also means that criminal sanctions are the appropriate next step, he said."

New York City authorities are escalating enforcement by pursuing criminal charges against landlords in addition to administrative penalties. One landlord faces indictment on two felony counts of harassing a rent‑regulated tenant, crimes that carry up to four years in prison. The case relies on a pattern of persistent poor property conditions that remained after penalties and inquiries from the Department of Buildings and the Loft Board. Officials view criminal sanctions as a means to deter landlords who treat fines as a business cost. Investigators expect to seek out similar conduct, while tenant advocates warn that a single prosecution may not change widespread harassment.

Read at therealdeal.com