A New Hampshire landlord got more than he bargained for last week when he was arrested after appearing at a local police station to file a complaint that he was being harassed by his tenants, the Foster’s Daily Democrat reported.
Anji Reddy, of Princeton, New Jersey, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear for a Feb. 27 arraignment to answer for alleged code violation charges that the town of Somersworth had brought against him.
“We condemn it — it is insane, unfair, and fiercely aggressive. Honestly, it is unnecessary,” Reddy’s legal team said in an email to the outlet.
Reddy has been on the town’s radar for some time for alleged code violations at an apartment building at 86 High Street that were so severe that one tenant hung a sign outside calling for the landlord to turn the heat and hot water back on.
Another tenant at a separate Reddy-owned apartment building also complained of a lack of heat and hot water, as well as electrical issues and a vermin infestation in an empty apartment below hers.
The town’s code compliance officer has filed numerous complaints against Reddy, who faces fines and fees of more than $550,000 if he’s found to have violated the code.
The tenants have also filed tenants rights petitions against Reddy, and are withholding rent until the violations are fixed. Reddy’s efforts to evict the tenants were unsuccessful, with one being dismissed as retaliatory for the tenant’s complaints of code violations.
Reddy, for his part, said he was unaware the town had filed charges against him because the notices had been sent to the wrong address.
“We were clueless,” an email from Reddy’s company said, according to the outlet. “Then, the hearing was rescheduled to March 20th — it was communicated. Our attorney team have attended the rescheduled hearing. Even in the above hearing, nothing mentioned about the bench warrant.”
Read more
Residential
National
“He just came to get his money”: Landlord murdered mid-eviction
Commercial
Los Angeles
LA corruption trial of Raymond Chan remains on hold
Residential
Los Angeles
LA developer charged in murder-for-hire case accused in arson plot
Reddy went to the police station on March 28 to complain that a tenant was harassing employees of his company and contractors. Instead of receiving the complaint, police arrested Reddy. only to be arrested.
“Instead of taking a complaint, it is insane and unfair that they have executed the bench warrant,” the email said, according to the outlet.
— Ted Glanzer