Unlicensed Contractors' Vehicle Seized, $20K In Fines Assessed To Landlord By Regulators: OBC

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County regulators took swift action against a landlord they say was illegally subdividing a single family home, along with the contractors he used.

A joint investigation by the Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes (OBC) and the county's Office of Consumer Protection resulted in a vehicle being impounded and more than $20,000 in fines being issued to a landlord and contractors for unauthorized work.

"This is what happens when property owners and contractors think they can ignore the law," County Executive Ed Day said. "I applaud our Office of Buildings and Codes and Consumer Protection for collaborating and ensuring all those involved are held accountable."

On July 10, OBC inspectors say they witnessed construction taking place without a valid building permit on Jill Lane, in the Village of Spring Valley.

Inspectors say an application had been submitted for window and siding replacement only, which was still under review and not approved.

Instead, inspectors say, the single-family residence was undergoing a full renovation/remodel conversion into a two-family dwelling, including partition walls separating the first and second floors, a complete gut renovation of the second story, and extensive electrical, plumbing, framing, and insulation work.

"Our inspectors are committed to ensuring construction in Rockland County is safe, legal, and held to the highest standard," OBC Director Edward Markunas said.

A Stop Work Order was issued at the property. However, on Friday, OBC returned to the site and saw workers unloading materials into the house, a direct violation of the Stop Work Order that had been issued and posted the previous day.

As a result, the property owner, Devorah Landau, is facing 28 violations and a $18,750.00 penalty, according to officials.

The Office of Consumer Protection (CP) was called by OBC due to unpermitted work being performed by unlicensed contractors. CP inspectors said Yisroel Sandel of YMS Home Improvement hired Nery Estuardo Medina Sandoval to install sheetrock, in violation of the active Stop Work Order, and the absence of a valid building permit.

A vehicle bearing a Connecticut license plate, without company lettering or a valid Rockland County Home Improvement Contractor decal, was impounded for unlicensed home improvement work and for violating the Stop Work Order, according to the inspectors.

A $3,000 penalty was issued to Sandoval for operating without a home improvement license, and $5,000 in violations are being issued to YMS Home Improvement and Yisroel Sandel for hiring unlicensed subcontractors and working through Stop Work Orders, according to the Office of Consumer Protection.

"Unlicensed contractors put the safety of residents and the integrity of our housing stock at serious risk and why anyone working in Rockland County must be properly licensed and insured — no exceptions," Consumer Protection Director Kimberly Von Ronn said.

Sandel and YMS Home Improvement are now being summoned before the Home Improvement Licensing Board for consideration of suspending or revoking their license for "repeated disregard of the local laws," according to the agency.