New York City’s public advocate has released the latest batch of the annual “Worst Landlords Watchlist” in an ongoing effort to protect tenants from predatory and negligent landlords across the city. Roseanne Colletti reports.
What to Know
The NYC public advocate's office has released its annual list of worst landlords for 2017
The list is compiled using data gathered from the Department of Buildings and Department of Housing Preservation and Development
The annual list puts bad landlords on notice and gives tenants the power they need to improve their living conditions
New York City's public advocate has released the latest batch of the annual "Worst Landlords Watchlist" in an ongoing effort to protect tenants from predatory and negligent landlords across the city.
The interactive database lists 100 landlords who have accumulated the most violations relative to the number of buildings they own. The list is compiled using data gathered from the Department of Buildings and Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
In addition to buildings owned by the "worst" landlords, the Watchlist includes the 10 worst buildings from each borough.
Corcoran
The two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse is Apt. 10A at 40 West 67th Street. It has stunning views from every angle. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
It has a private penthouse with glorious views of Central Park and is available for rent ($14,995 a month) starting on Dec. 1. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
Top-of-the-line amenities include a wood-burning fireplace, custom Bosch dishwasher, Sonos sound system with built-in speakers in every room and Carrera marble countertops. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
Check out the eat-in kitchen. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
The building itself is landmarked and was built in 1928 by famed architect Rosario Candela. It has 39 units and is pet-friendly. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
There's a formal dining room as well, along with remote-controlled shades on skylights and the all-windowed DR wall. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
Here's a look at one of the home's two private terraces. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
Another look at one of the gorgeous terraces. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
The home also features meticulously restored original casement windows and new hardwood floors throughout, among other amenities. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
Here's a look at the den/second bedroom. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
The den/second bedroom from another angle. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
The master bedroom features a walk-in closet and en suite bathroom as well as direct access to one of the two private terraces. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Corcoran
It's one of only two penthouse apartments on the top floor of the building. The property is listed with Gino Filippone at Corcoran. You can see the full listing with Corcoran here.
Public Advocate Letitia James says the annual list puts bad landlords on notice and gives tenants the power they need to improve their living conditions. Eight of the 10 worst landlords are repeat offenders, according to James. But the city can't stop them from renting.
"There is nothing to stop them from participating in the open market, all we can do is make them comply with the law and the codes of the city," said James.
The worst landlord, according to the list, is Jonathan Cohen of Silvershore Properties. Cohen has 19 Brooklyn buildings on the 2017 watchlist, with an average of 1,090 HPD violations, and 15 DOB violations.
In a statement, Silvershore Properties said the majority of its properties were purchased from long-term owners who neglected the properties, "and many of the problems causing the violations were inherited at our purchase."
AP/Jeffrey Colle
Jeffrey Colle
The 100-year-old home sits on two acres of land near a 17-acre nature preserve at 81 Briar Patch Road.
Jeffrey Colle
The estate features six bedrooms, seven baths and 203 feet of water frontage on Georgica Pond.
Jeffrey Colle
The home was built by Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White, a prominent American architectural firm in the early 20th century, according to Town and Country. The firm was behind such iconic buildings as the original Penn Station, the main campus of Columbia University and the Brooklyn Museum.
Jeffrey Colle
The mansion was restored and expanded over the course of three years by its previous owner, Hamptons luxury builder Jeffrey Colle.
Jeffrey Colle
Colle turned the house 90 degrees to enhance the waterfront views of nearby Georgica Pond.
Jeffrey Colle
Colle described the home, nicknamed the Pond House, as “elegant, beautiful and gracious.”
Jeffrey Colle
Colle converted a triple-height studio room into a living room with a soaring, 30-feet-high ceiling.
Jeffrey Colle
“All the paneling in this space here is all quarter sawn oak with a French chalk finish, all done by hand,” Colle said of the living room. "It brings a lot of warmth to the home."
Jeffrey Colle
The floors are made out of 700-year-old bonds that Colle bought in the south of France.
Jeffrey Colle
The bathrooms feature heated tubs hand-carved in Verona, Italy, out of solid blocks of stone.
Jeffrey Colle
The master bedroom has a hand-beaded and paneled ceiling with French chalk finish.
Jeffrey Colle
Another view of the master bedroom.
Jeffrey Colle
“There’s a lot of Old-World craftsmanship and Old-World materials used in the house,” Colle said.
Jeffrey Colle
The estate includes an infinity edge pool and spa adjacent to the pond, as well as an outdoor dining space, according to Curbed.com.
Jeffrey Colle
There’s also a Turkish limestone, wraparound terrace.
Jeffrey Colle
On top of that, there's a 1,800-square-foot guest cottage with its own living room, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms.
Jeffrey Colle
The kitchen contains plenty of natural light.
Jeffrey Colle
More natural light fills the sun room.
Jeffrey Colle
There are spacious ceilings throughout the home, including in the media room.
Jeffrey Colle
The kitchen area has several areas for dining.
Jeffrey Colle
Visitors can lounge in a living area near the dining room and kitchen.
Jeffrey Colle
“I’ve been here in the Hamptons for 35 years building homes. I started to design and build homes 20 years ago and nothing I’ve ever built has had the love and attention that I’ve put into this,” Colle said of the estate.
"We have done a tremendous amount of work in these properties and expect the number of violations to be reduced significantly once the HPD dismissal inspections are scheduled this month," Silvershore Properties said.
"We have been extremely proactive about addressing any issues in each of the buildings," the statement continued. "The violations cannot be removed until there is an inspection; the majority of the work has been completed and we are awaiting an inspection date."
A tenant of one of the other 10 worst landlords on the list says his apartment has been deteriorating for over a year. Arthur James showed his apartment to News 4, pointing out missing burner plates, and broken or non-existent kitchen cabinents.
Other common complaints at the building included broken handles on the tub to mold on the floor, a broken smoke alarm and plastered-over mouse holes.
"Nothing ever gets done," said Ramon Carona. "You do the paperwork and nothing gets done."
Attempts to reach that landlord by phone were not successful. The city says he's been on the worst landlord list for the past three years.
Evan Joseph
Evan Joseph
The master suite has two outdoor terraces. One is off the master bathroom and the other one is off the master bedroom, according to the listing.
Evan Joseph
The master suite has two outdoor terraces. One is off the master bathroom and the other one is off the master bedroom, according to the listing.
Evan Joseph
The kitchen comes with finishes, an Arclinea chef's kitchen, an island, open shelving and custom cabinetry.
Evan Joseph
The kitchen comes with finishes, an Arclinea chef's kitchen, an island, open shelving and custom cabinetry.
Evan Joseph
The fifth floor also comes with a breakfast bar and dining area.
Evan Joseph
The master suite has two outdoor terraces. One is off the master bathroom and the other one is off the master bedroom, according to the listing.
Evan Joseph
The master suite is on the sixth floor and has two master bathrooms.
Evan Joseph
The home has four bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half bathrooms, according to the listing.
Evan Joseph
The home has four bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half bathrooms, according to the listing.
Evan Joseph
The master suite has two outdoor terraces. One is off the master bathroom and the other one is off the master bedroom, according to the listing.
Evan Joseph
The home is nearly 10,000 square feet with more than 6,500 square feet of interior space and 3,000 square feet of outdoor space.
Evan Joseph
The home is nearly 10,000 square feet with more than 6,500 square feet of interior space and 3,000 square feet of outdoor space.
Evan Joseph
The home over looks Madison Square Park and spreads over four terraces and two floors.
Evan Joseph
The home over looks Madison Square Park and spreads over four terraces and two floors.
