Bronx residents alleging landlord negligence seek help from politicians

Residents at 3525 Decatur Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx, who sued their landlord for negligence, are looking to elected officials for help after a judge denied the presentation of the majority of their evidence in court last month. The eight residents, who claim landlord neglect by Jacob Selechnik over a four-year period, have appealed to the city’s public advocate and the Bronx borough president’s office. Sarah Hausman, an organizer with Urban Homesteading Assistance, said the negligence on the part of the landlord may be on purpose. “Landlords looking to turn a quick profit have neglected or harassed existing tenants in an effort to force them out and hike up rents in their apartments,” she said. [Norwood News]