The city’s list of “100 Worst Landlords” will stay — for now.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Carol Edmead ruled against New York City landlord Kamran Hakim, who filed a lawsuit in December to have himself removed from the list. Hakim — who owns more than 100 properties citywide — was seeking $15 million in damages.
Hakim racked up 565 violations at seven buildings, landing at No. 34 on last year’s list. But in a lawsuit, he said he should be removed from the list because two of his buildings are vacant. Edmead didn’t see it that way. “A violation in a vacant building doesn’t make it less of a violation,” she said, according to the New York Post.
Edmead is still reviewing Hakim’s case against Public Advocate Letitia James, whose office publishes the list each year.
Landlords have long complained about the list, first published in 2010 by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was then the city’s public advocate.
“Landlords have a responsibility to ensure that buildings are clear of violations regardless of occupancy status,” James said in a statement following the ruling. [NYP] — E.B. Solomont