MANHATTAN — Landlords at more than two dozen rent-regulated New York City buildings illegally removed central heating systems — forcing tenants to pay for heat and hot water that was supposed to be included in their rent, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office announced Tuesday.
The removal affected 145 tenants, mainly in Bushwick and Williamsburg, officials said. Other buildings were located in Chinatown and Harlem.
"We are standing up for New Yorkers and holding unscrupulous landlords accountable," Cuomo said Tuesday. "These landlords are going to restore their central heating systems, and others should be aware that we will not hesitate to crack down on any illegal behavior.”
The New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal sent the landlords a letter specifying the violations and requiring them to restore their heating system and reimburse renters for having to pay for their heat and hot water.
If the landlords ignore the letters, DHCR will could provide rent credits to tenants and take building owners to overcharge proceedings through the agency. The agency issued 560 rent overcharge orders in 2015, according to the agency, forcing landlords to set a regulated rent.
The exact addresses of the buildings were not released by officials, citing privacy concerns for tenants.
Inspectors from DHCR's Tenant Protection Unit found that after the landlords started to charge for heat and hot water, some renters were living without it, officials said.
"[It's] just an awful, awful circumstance on some of the most vulnerable people," DHCR Deputy Commissioner Richard White, who heads HCR's Tenant Protection Unit, said. "[Landlords] see gentrification and are using all kinds of means to force out tenants."
Some landlords take advantage of renters in gentrifying areas they feel may not be aware of their rights, White added.
"Ignorance is something that bad landlords rely upon," White told DNAinfo. "These owners are on a short leash as winter is upon us."
Officials encouraged residents to get in touch with the city if they think their landlord is doing something illegal.
If you live in a rent stabilized apartment and feel you're being harassed, call @NYSHCR ORA and Tenant Protection Unit at 718-739-6400.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) December 22, 2015
