Welcome to The Home Equity Theft Reporter, a blog dedicated to informing the consumer public and the legal profession about Home Equity Theft issues. This blog will consist of information describing the various forms of Home Equity Theft and links to news reports & other informational sources from throughout the country about the victims of Home Equity Theft and what government authorities and others are doing about it.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Booted Tenants In Bronx Building Begin Return As Landlord Replaces Improperly Removed Fire Escapes; Some Think Act Was Intentional To Dodge Rent Regs
In The Bronx, New York, the New York Daily News reports:
The tenants of the fire escape fiasco building got two reasons last week to be hopeful that the end of their nightmare is in sight. Two new lines of fire escapes were installed at 2400 Webb Ave., allowing 24 units on the second through seventh floors to be occupied, according to Buildings Department spokesman Tony Sclafani. That brings to 35 the number of apartments that residents can return to, out of 75 total.
And Bronx Housing Court Judge Jerald Klein last Friday presided over a consent order agreeing that landlord Goldfarb Properties will complete the re-installation of fire escapes by July 31st or face penalties up to $150 a day per violation. All parties signed the stipulation.
“It went rather well,” said Michael Staton, the tenant representative. "The judge seemed to be very affable and instructive and helpful in terms of leading us through this process," noted Staton. "He really explained and clarified everything."
More than 200 tenants were evacuated on June 4, after a contractor removed all the fire escapes in May without a permit, turning the University Heights building into a firetrap. Staton, who was able to move back into his apartment nearly two weeks ago, expressed hope that more of his neighbors would return soon.
Though there were many violations, the consent order only concerned those that kept tenants out of their apartments. "The violations of concern are the removal of the fire escapes and the lack of a fire proof door separating the garage from the basement," said Staton. "The other violations that have to be corrected would not necessitate that we are out of the apartments."
The tenants seems content with this decision, Staton said, but they are still upset over the predicament. The building is home to many city employes, as well as many elderly residents and tenants with young children.
Some tenants have said they believe the evacuation was intentional, to get rid of longtime tenants with low rents.
Sclafani said the investigation of the landlord and engineer Roland Draper to determine whether they purposely skirted the law is ongoing, and both could face more severe penalties.
CBC News: Betrayal of Trust (A CBC investigation reveals how lawyers across Canada have misappropriated and mishandled clients money, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, or sometimes even charging vulnerable people top dollar for shoddy services)
Land Contract/Contract For Deed/Rent-To-Own Rackets
The New York Times: The Housing Trap (In the wake of the housing crisis, low-income families have turned to seller financing to buy homes but these deals can be a money trap)
Beware The Fine Print: Consumers Forced To Sign Away Their Rights To Use Court System
The NY Times: Arbitration Everywhere, Stacking the Deck of Justice(Part 1 in series examining how clauses buried in tens of millions of contracts have deprived Americans of one of their most fundamental constitutional rights: their day in court)
Foreclosure Mills' Abysmal Record In Complying With New NYS Foreclosure Requirements
Justice Deceived: How Large Foreclosure Firms Subvert State Regulations Protecting Homeowners
MFY Legal Services Report On Questionable Practices By Process Servers In Debt Collection Cases
Justice Disserved: A Preliminary Analysis of the Exceptionally
Low Appearance Rate by Defendants in Lawsuits Filed in the Civil Court of the City of New York
Mortgage Mess Redux: Robo-Signers Return (A Reuters investigation finds that many banks are still employing the controversial foreclosure practices that sparked a major outcry last year)
CNN Video: As Foreclosures Mount, Florida Court Turns To 'Rocket Docket'
The Wall Street Journal: A Florida Court's 'Rocket Docket' Blasts Through Foreclosure Cases (2 Questions, 15 Seconds, 45 Days to Get Out; 'What's to Talk About?' Says a Judge)
"Produce The Note" Strategy When Dealing With Missing Promissory Notes In Foreclosure Actions
ABC Video: Fighting Against Foreclosure (Some homeowners have found a new tactic to keep the banks at bay)
<< Home