NYC Landlord Found Liable In Rent Overcharge Case Involving 1300+ Unit Housing Complex

In New York City, Crain's New York Business reports:

• In yet another victory for tenants, a state Supreme Court judge ruled late Monday against Laurence Gluck declaring that the landlord unlawfully deregulated rents at Independence Plaza North, a big downtown Manhattan residential complex, while receiving tax breaks.

• The decision is the latest blow to the landlord, who has prospered by buying Mitchell-Lama housing projects, which are rent-stabilized properties, in the city and then taking them out of the program and raising rents. Independence Plaza, a 1,331-unit complex in TriBeCa was taken out of the Mitchell-Lama program in 2004. The lawsuit, which was filed five years ago, claims that Mr. Gluck unlawfully turned the building into a market-rate property while still accepting J-51 tax breaks from the city.

• “I am happy about the decision, but it is tempered by the fact it took this long,” said Seth Miller of Collins Dobkin & Miller who represents the tenants in this case. Mr. Miller refused to disclose the amount of rent overcharges that might be due to his clients as a result of the ruling. He also added that he expects Mr. Gluck to appeal the decision.

For the story, see Court rules against big Manhattan landlord (Judge finds Laurence Gluck unlawfully deregulated rents in the 1,331-unit Independence Plaza North complex in TriBeCa; appeal seen as likely).