Eviction Filings Are To Help Tenants, Says Crown Heights Owner Lawyer

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Tenants from two buildings managed by the same company demanded "real repairs," at a rally on Saturday.

Residents from 1616 President St. and 575 Herkimer St. have been on rent strike for over a year, claiming that the management company has refused to perform repairs.

"No repairs, no rent," the crowd chanted.

But the management company disagrees, claiming that they've performed dozens of repairs and renovations in the buildings but tenants refuse to grant them access and fought.

Gilman Management told Patch in a statement that "the owners of each property are happy to make repairs if access is provided and have no desire to evict the occupants," said lawyer David Graber.

Bur records show that at 575 Herkimer St., Graber filed five non-payment eviction cases against residents this year, who owe a combined $85,000 in back rent Graber said.

The courts, Graber said, is a preferred avenue to get repairs done for all parties involved rather than the press.

And the eviction cases were initiated for the tenant's benefit by setting up payment agreements, Graber said.

"A stipulation can be entered into by which a payment arrangement can be made, and specific access dates can be agreed to, with a list of necessary repairs to be completed as part of the stipulation," Graber said.

"The landlord does not want to evict these people and will be happy to assist them in getting assistance or allowing time for them to catch up by paying the arrears over time," he told Patch.

Tenant Jaren Forbes told the crowd that Gilman Management hasn't been entirely forthcoming with "families that have lived her for 50 years," by refusing to make repairs and only providing patchwork fixes when they do perform work.

Forbes said apartments suffer from a lack of maintenance, mold and other issues.

"They're always here on the first of the month," Fobes said, "but when it comes to making repairs? 'Oh, we'll get back to you.'"

She told the crowd that she finally got windows fixed in her apartment at 575 Herkimer St. "after 20 years of fighting," something that only happened after going on rent strike, Forbes said.

Residents from 1616 President St. echoed similar concerns.

Some tenants from the President Street building have been striking since the early days of the pandemic in 2020 under previous owner Jason Korn, who frequently tops city Worst Landlord lists.

"We've been on strike for three years and we're asking for nothing but fixes for our apartment," one resident said at the rally.

The resident, who didn't share her name, cited a long list of issues: leaks, mold, rats and a child who she said developed asthma after moving in.

"You're asking for rent and yet we are living like this?" she told the crowd.

Graber, on behalf of Gilman Management, says that "repairs can start tomorrow if access is provided," at 1616 President St.

Tenants say that they aren't denying access but that workers don't coordinate with them and show up when residents aren't home.

And at 575 Herkimer St., Graber says that Gilman has installed new appliances in more than six units, retiled bathrooms and completed mold remediated in 17 of the 22 units, in addition to roof and facade work.

"As far as the landlord knows, any requested repairs have been addressed," Graber said.

But if there are still more repairs to be done, tenants who have entered a court stipulation due to eviction proceedings can ask the court for repair compliance, he said.

"If promised repairs are not done, the tenant can complain to the court, instead of the press, and the landlord will be held accountable," Graber told Patch.