Bronx Tenants Condemn Landlord’s Unethical Attempts to Dodge Repairs, Continue Fight for Accountability  

Bronx tenants gathered in front of Bronx Housing Court to condemn their landlord, Isaac Kassirer’s fraudulent attempts to force tenants to consent that repairs were done and continue their yearslong fight for justice 

BRONX, NY – Rent-stabilized tenants residing at 1187 Anderson Avenue and 1230 Woodycrest Avenue in the Bronx gathered outside Bronx Housing Court on Wednesday, August 14 to condemn landlord Isaac Kassirer’s shady practices and continue their yearslong fight to force him to repair dangerous living conditions in their buildings. 
 
In addition to years of suffering due to disrepair, tenants are now faced with further attempts by their landlord to delay justice, this time by coercing seniors and Spanish-speaking tenants into signing off on the completion of repairs that were not done – including informing tenants the super would not be paid until the appropriate papers were signed. Legal Services NYC accused Kassirer of this unethical behavior and bad faith efforts to make repairs and Kassirer has requested an adjournment of the case. 

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“Tenants at 1230 Woodycrest and 1187 Anderson have endured deplorable living conditions for years, leading to legal action. We’ve filed for contempt due to the landlord’s continued negligence,” said Legal Services NYC’s Supervising Attorney Cynthia Ramos. “Alarmingly, the landlord submitted alleged tenant affirmations, communicating directly with our clients without our knowledge and obtaining affirmations that could harm their case. These actions are not only unethical but potentially illegal. Unfortunately, such tactics are all too common in housing court. We urge the courts to implement stricter guidelines and preventative measures to protect tenants, especially those from vulnerable communities. Landlords who continue to neglect their properties and manipulate tenants should be prepared to face serious consequences, including significant fines, civil penalties, and even imprisonment for ongoing violations.” 

This is a new low for Kassirer and the Emerald Equity Group/Living Emerald NY LLC, and complicates the tenants 2022 lawsuit for repairs which they brought back to court seeking to hold the landlord responsible for negligence and civil penalties. Although this case was settled more than 6 months ago, awarding tenants more than $400,000 in rent abatements, no measurable improvements have been made, including adequate heating and hot water; extermination of cockroaches, mice, rats, and other pests; removal of mold; repairing plumbing issues, a leaky roof, janitorial services across building, and fixing the elevators and intercom systems—all which should have been completed within 30 days of the settlement.  

Tenants, tired of inconsistent and shoddy repairs, organized with the help of New Settlement’s membership-driven tenant organizing project, Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA) and are represented by Legal Services NYC’s Tenant Rights Coalition Unit in the Bronx. 

RESOURCES:

• Read settlement agreements here 
• See photos of building conditions here 
• Watch the story on News12, PIX11, and CBS2