Mamdani touts landmark court victory against repeat offender landlord in housing enforcement push

"Since your landlord, a repeat offender on New York City's annual Worst Landlord Watch List, purchased the property in 2011, your tenants have faced an unending stream of violations that have taken a toll on their health, safety and well-being. We are speaking of infestations of mice, rats and cockroaches; leaking pipes; collapsed ceilings; black mold; and lead paint."

"This is a landmark victory. The first time that the court has levied the maximum civil penalties allowed on a landlord under the Nuisance Abatement Law. If you do not change your ways, we now have a strong precedent to pursue the same kind of legal action against you."

"The court found that years of uncorrected code violations at 919 Prospect Avenue constitute a public nuisance and ordered penalties of $1,000 a day for violations dating back to April 21, 2019, totaling more than $2.1 million so far, with fines continuing to accrue if repairs are not made."

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a Bronx Supreme Court judgment totaling over $2.1 million against landlord Seth Miller for years of uncorrected code violations at 919 Prospect Avenue. The court determined the violations constitute a public nuisance and imposed $1,000 daily penalties dating back to April 2019, with fines continuing to accrue until repairs are completed. The property has experienced severe issues including pest infestations, leaking pipes, collapsed ceilings, black mold, and lead paint. Mamdani characterized this as a landmark victory, marking the first time maximum civil penalties were levied under the Nuisance Abatement Law. The mayor warned other landlords that the city now has a strong legal precedent to pursue similar actions against repeat offenders.

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