Brookhaven Poised To Increase Housing Violation Fines

FARMINGVILLE, NY — Brookhaven officials on Monday unveiled a new initiative to strengthen enforcement against illegal housing, including increased fines for rental permit violations aimed at repeat offenders.

The initiative seeks to enhance housing safety and compliance throughout the town and to also address the negative impact of illegal rentals on neighborhood quality-of-life.

The new fines will include increased penalties for violations of the Neighborhood Preservation Code and Zoning Code, such as operating a rental without a registration permit and failing to obtain required building permits.

These measures aims to deter landlords from viewing violations as merely a cost of doing business.

It would raise fines from between $500 and $1,000 up to between $6,000 and $15,000.

The Town Board is expected to vote on the measure at the Nov. 19 meeting.

“Let me be clear: our goal is code compliance to ensure that Brookhaven remains a place where people live in clean, safe neighborhoods,” Supervisor Dan Panico said. “We are going to break the slumlord business model, with exponentially higher fines through robust enforcement.”
Residents are being urged to report illegal rentals through the town’s online platform at brookhavenny.gov/housing.

“You’re not going to mess around here in Brookhaven because the good people we represent are our best eyes and ears in our communities, and those are the people we serve," Panico said. "We are grateful to our county partners who are reviewing potential changes at the county level dealing with Department of Social Services housing."

Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich emphasized the significance of higher fines.

“For too many irresponsible landlords, the relatively low cost of fines has just been part of the cost of doing business," he said. "By raising the minimum fine, we hope to deter abusive landlords, protect tenant rights and safety, and improve quality-of-life in our neighborhoods.”
Councilwoman Jane Bonner said that "ensuring the safety and well-being" of residents is "a top priority."

"Stronger enforcement isn’t just about fines; it’s about safe neighborhoods, protecting residents from unsafe conditions, and preserving the integrity of our town," she added.

Councilman Michael Loguercio, who is also a volunteer firefighter, underscored the safety risks.

“Some of these housing violations are major safety issues that can very easily cause fire, injury, or death," he said. "By addressing violators, we protect communities and save lives.”

Several county lawmakers voiced their commitment to the effort.

Legis. James Mazzarella said Suffolk is committed to working with Brookhaven to address quality-of-life concerns "with substandard housing and code violations."

"We will be exploring legislation to ensure that those receiving assistance from Suffolk County are living in safe conditions that comply with all local ordinances and codes," he said.

Legis. Nick Caracappa added, “We have to crack down on that, we have to come together to have more local control on what’s going on, these steps that the Town is taking today in increasing these fines is a big step.”

Legis. Dominick Thorne called it a "welcome cooperative effort on the part of the town and county, and I applaud the program to deter our neighbors from breaking the law.”
Community leaders also showed support.

Frank Fugarino from the Pattersquash Civic Association in Mastic Beach said the group welcomes the effort.

Kareem Nugdalla from the Coram Civic Association called it “a very good first step to improve the quality of life in Coram.”

Councilman Neil Manzella, who joined along with Deputy Supervisor Neil Foley in highlighting how the town has streamlined the process for rental compliance, said it’s "disheartening to see both first-time and repeat offenders undermining the efforts of responsible property owners."

Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig said she looks forward to the Nov. 19 public hearing, where the Town Board will adopt the resolution.

Acting Commissioner of Public Safety David Moran said that raising "quality-of-life violation fines is a great step in the right direction."