More Than 100 Bed-Stuy Buildings 'Put Tenants At Risk,' City Says

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — More than 100 buildings with dozens of open violations in Bed-Stuy have been barred from getting new work permits under a new city law designed to protect against tenant abuse.

A new map from the city's Department of Buildings shows every building whose permits have been restricted by Local Law 104, which the City Council passed in 2019.

The law was intended to penalize landlords who deliberately allow their buildings to deteriorate in an effort to drive out tenants.

While some New York City neighborhoods have only a few buildings that made the list, more than 100 were flagged in and around Bed-Stuy. In total, there were 795 buildings in Brooklyn on the map.

The map flags any building with 35 or more dwelling units and two or more violations for every unit, or those with fewer than 35 units and three or more violations for every unit.

In Bed-Stuy, some of the buildings had as many as 22 violations per unit. Several had more than 100 total open violations, according to the data.

Local Council Member Robert Cornegy said blocking such buildings from getting permits is "more than fair" given their history of not maintaining buildings.

“I have great respect for the many landlords that take their responsibilities seriously and who repair buildings when necessary," Cornegy said, pointing to legislation he introduced to extend the time for owners to get inspections during the coronavirus pandemic. "...But if you cannot maintain your buildings, it is more than fair to block you from getting permits for new projects."

"If you are endangering New Yorkers with excessive buildings violations, then strong action is necessary from preventing you from creating new dangers," he added.

Click around the new map from DOB here.