By Tiffany Williams –
NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani and incoming Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Dina Levy announced a $2.1 million settlement with A&E Real Estate and associated principals to address tenant harassment and hazardous conditions in 14 buildings across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.
The settlement requires A&E to fix more than 4,000 building violations and imposes court orders banning tenant harassment. Registered managing agent Brian Garland, along with Douglas Eisenberg and Margaret Brunn, are also bound by the agreement.
The enforcement action, led by HPD’s Anti-Harassment Unit, reflects the Mamdani administration’s commitment to protecting tenants. Mamdani made tenant protection a central focus on his first day in office, revitalizing the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and pledging faster delivery of housing, including on City-owned sites.
“Every tenant in New York City has a right to a safe and livable home and our administration is taking decisive action to deliver exactly that,” Mamdani said. “This settlement will bring real accountability and relief for the tenants of these buildings, who have been suffering from poor conditions and harassment for far too long.”
Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg said the settlement sends a message that landlords cannot neglect tenants. “We will continue to use City tools to deliver real results for tenants, whether through enforcement actions like this or working in partnership with owners who are committed to providing safe and quality housing,” she said.
Incoming HPD Commissioner Dina Levy added, “By holding bad actors accountable, we are making it clear that no landlord will escape the consequences of violating the Housing Maintenance Code. HPD will continue to hold landlords accountable and deliver justice for New York City tenants.”
Council Member Shekar Krishnan highlighted the impact on Jackson Heights tenants. “A&E’s money-first mindset has hit my district the hardest, but I know this won’t be the last major win for their tenants,” he said.
The litigation covers 14 buildings across three boroughs, including addresses in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. HPD’s investigation found widespread unsafe conditions at four buildings. When violations went uncorrected, HPD pursued civil contempt motions and additional penalties.
More than 1,000 violations have been corrected through enforcement and court orders, with an additional $488,000 in repairs made via HPD’s Emergency Repair Program. HPD warned that failure to comply could result in further court action and penalties.