More Than 50 Crown Heights Buildings 'Put Tenants At Risk': City

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — More than 50 buildings with dozens of open violations in Crown Heights 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 — like neighboring Prospect Heights — more than 50 were flagged in and around Crown Heights. 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 Crown Heights, some of the buildings had as many as 13 violations per unit.

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.