NYC Mayor Secures $2.1M Judgment Against Neglectful Landlord

Landmark ruling holds owner accountable for severe building code violations that endangered tenants

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:38am

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New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Corporation Counsel Steve Banks announced a first-of-its-kind court ruling that imposes the maximum penalties under the city's Nuisance Abatement Law against the owner of a Bronx apartment building with extensive code violations. The $2.1 million judgment requires the landlord to address the most severe issues within two weeks, all violations within a month, and pay a daily fine for each day the building was in violation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the city's aggressive new approach to holding negligent landlords accountable and protecting tenants' right to safe, well-maintained housing. The scale of the penalty sends a strong message that the city will use every tool available to ensure building owners comply with the law and provide livable conditions.

The details

The city brought the case against the owner of 919 Prospect Avenue in the Bronx, which had numerous violations including a deteriorated facade, unsafe electrical equipment, obstructed fire escapes, an unsafe elevator, lack of heat, pest infestations, and peeling lead paint. After the city sought an injunction, a judge granted the city's motion to order the violations corrected and imposed the maximum $1,000 per day fine, totaling $2.1 million in retroactive penalties.

  • The city filed the case against the landlord in 2026.
  • The judge issued the ruling on March 13, 2026.

The players

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who announced the landmark ruling against the negligent landlord.

Steve Banks

The New York City Corporation Counsel who worked with the mayor on the case.

Seth Miller

The owner of the 919 Prospect Avenue building, who has a history of neglecting his properties.

Leila Bozorg

The Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning in New York City.

Cea Weaver

The Director of the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants.

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What they’re saying

“This judgment is a landmark victory not only for those who call 919 Prospect Ave home, but for tenants across the five boroughs who must contend with the daily misery, mistreatment and neglect of a bad landlord. Let the scale of this penalty show how seriously we take the threat of building mismanagement that put residents' and neighbors' health at risk.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Mirage News)

“Every New Yorker has the right to a safe and well-maintained home. For far too long, the residents of 919 Prospect Avenue have been denied that right - and this judgment will finally turn the tide.”

— Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning (Mirage News)

“In the Mamdani administration, the Mayor of New York City is on tenants' side. The tenants of 919 Prospect Avenue have fought for a livable home for more than a decade, and this victory is a turning point in that fight.”

— Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants (Mirage News)

What’s next

The judge will oversee the landlord's compliance with the court order to address the building's code violations within the specified timelines.

The takeaway

This landmark ruling demonstrates the city's commitment to aggressively enforcing housing codes and holding negligent landlords accountable, sending a strong message that endangering tenants' health and safety will not be tolerated.