New York City's largest landlord, A&E Real Estate, will pay a $2.1 million settlement to resolve over 4,000 code violations and allegations of tenant harassment at 14 buildings across three boroughs. The agreement marks the end of a year-and-a-half-long legal battle initiated by Mayor Eric Adams' administration.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the settlement on Friday, stating that it was not an acceptable solution to ignore these egregious infractions. Instead, he vowed to hold accountable those who would exploit and mistreat tenants with impunity. "For too many New Yorkers, when they hear the words A&E Real Estate, they think of mistreatment and neglect," Mamdani said.
The settlement affects about 750 tenants living in A&E buildings in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Housing Commissioner Dina Levy attributed the outcome to sustained enforcement by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development's Anti-Harassment Unit, describing safe, livable housing as an "absolute right."
Meanwhile, City data show that one of the affected buildings has 220 open violations, including issues such as roach infestations, water leaks, and broken lights. A&E Real Estate has a history of similar problems at its properties.
The settlement is the largest in the Anti-Harassment Unit's history. CEO Donald Hastings framed the agreement as a partnership with the city, stating that they have agreed to repair plans with the housing department that are already being implemented. However, A&E faces ongoing lawsuits from tenants seeking repairs due to alleged systemic neglect.
In addition to this settlement, Mayor Mamdani has expressed his commitment to holding negligent landlords accountable, empowering a new office to protect tenants and hosting "rental ripoff" hearings during his first 100 days in office. If A&E fails to comply with the terms of the settlement, housing officials may seek additional court orders and penalties.
This agreement marks a significant step towards addressing the neglect and mistreatment faced by New York City's most vulnerable residents, but advocates caution that more work is needed to ensure safe and livable housing for all.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the settlement on Friday, stating that it was not an acceptable solution to ignore these egregious infractions. Instead, he vowed to hold accountable those who would exploit and mistreat tenants with impunity. "For too many New Yorkers, when they hear the words A&E Real Estate, they think of mistreatment and neglect," Mamdani said.
The settlement affects about 750 tenants living in A&E buildings in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Housing Commissioner Dina Levy attributed the outcome to sustained enforcement by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development's Anti-Harassment Unit, describing safe, livable housing as an "absolute right."
Meanwhile, City data show that one of the affected buildings has 220 open violations, including issues such as roach infestations, water leaks, and broken lights. A&E Real Estate has a history of similar problems at its properties.
The settlement is the largest in the Anti-Harassment Unit's history. CEO Donald Hastings framed the agreement as a partnership with the city, stating that they have agreed to repair plans with the housing department that are already being implemented. However, A&E faces ongoing lawsuits from tenants seeking repairs due to alleged systemic neglect.
In addition to this settlement, Mayor Mamdani has expressed his commitment to holding negligent landlords accountable, empowering a new office to protect tenants and hosting "rental ripoff" hearings during his first 100 days in office. If A&E fails to comply with the terms of the settlement, housing officials may seek additional court orders and penalties.
This agreement marks a significant step towards addressing the neglect and mistreatment faced by New York City's most vulnerable residents, but advocates caution that more work is needed to ensure safe and livable housing for all.
Ugh, $2.1 million is just a drop in the bucket when you think about how many people are getting screwed over by landlords like A&E Real Estate. Like, can't they just use some of that cash to fix the actual problems instead of settling? 
220 open violations in one building? That's just crazy talk! And don't even get me started on the fact that there are ongoing lawsuits from tenants seeking repairs... it's like, how many times do you have to get taken advantage of before something changes? 
At least the city is trying to hold them accountable, but I'm not holding my breath. Still, I guess this is a step in the right direction, even if it feels like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound 
I mean come on, $2.1 million just seems like a drop in the bucket when you think about how many people are being affected by A&E's shoddy management 
. It's not just about throwing money at the problem either, we need real change here - better regulations, more accountability for landlords... it's all about setting a standard for what's acceptable and making sure everyone plays by the rules 
. I love that the new housing office is being set up to protect tenants, that's a great step forward! But let's not get too complacent here, we need to keep pushing for more 
.
. I mean, 4,000 code violations? That's just crazy! And the fact that it took a year-and-a-half to get settled is just ridiculous. The city needs to do better than this. They need to be more aggressive in cracking down on landlords who are just looking to make a quick buck. I don't think A&E is exactly innocent here, either - they've had history of similar problems at their properties, so it's not like this is an isolated incident. And what about the tenants who are still suing them? It's not like this settlement is going to magically fix everything. Housing Commissioner Levy is right that safe, livable housing is an "absolute right", but we need to see more action from the city to back up those words.
. 4k code violations is wild, can imagine living in those conditions 
. glad that housing officials are cracking down, but I'm not sure if it's enough... some of these buildings have been neglected for years 
. still, its a start and now tenants have a voice, that's something 
. just wish it wasn't a $2.1 million settlement tho, feels like there should be more urgency in addressing these issues 
like what was A&E waiting for? they should be ashamed of themselves 
at least the city stepped up and took action, but this settlement still feels like a slap on the wrist compared to how bad it sounds. tenants deserve so much better than being left with roaches and broken lights 
they gotta pay up for neglecting their tenants and I hope it sends a message that nobody gets away with this kind of mistreatment 
safe livable housing is EVERYTHING 
i'm so proud of Mayor Mamdani for taking action and holding those in power accountable 
the fact that 750 tenants will be getting some reprieve is just amazing 
let's keep pushing for more progress and an end to rental ripoffs 
its not right that they had 2 suffer like dis, I just hope more companies follow suit & we see real change 
A&E Real Estate was literally ignoring the code violations left and right... it's disgusting how they could just leave tenants in those conditions. Housing Commissioner Dina Levy is doing a great job btw 
Still worried about all the other buildings that aren't getting the same attention...
It feels like just a drop in the ocean. And what about all those other tenants who aren't affected by this settlement? Are they still living with broken lights and roach infestations? 
. And what's with all the other lawsuits? Can't they just get their act together 
. This settlement is a start, but we need more 
.
$2.1 million is a pretty penny, gotta say I'm glad the mayor's admin took action 
. Safe housing is a fundamental right, imo 
. Still, advocates say more work needs to be done... can't agree more 
& it's good that the city took action to hold them accountable finally some accountability in the landlord game, i hope more landlords follow suit
just saw the numbers on this settlement... 4k code violations 
need to do more than just slap hands on paper to fix this problem 