Williamsburg landlord allegedly destroys apartment to force out rent-stabilized tenant

In an effort to force a tenant out of his building, a Williamsburg landlord began making extensive plumbing repairs that left a unit in shamble, while the tenant left for what she thought was a minor repair, according to the Brooklyn Paper. Landlord Jamal Alokasheh, who lost a 2010 Housing Court when he attempted to force out rent-stabilized tenants, performed illegal renovations that left a Bedford Avenue apartment near North 8th Street in disrepair, according to tenant Jadwiga Bronte.

Bronte began subletting the rent-stabilized unit last summer, before reaching an agreement with Alokasheh in November to pay him directly. But Alokasheh claims Bronte isn’t a tenant of the building and does not eve know her. “My tent left over six months ago,” he said.

Alokasheh filed paperwork with the Department of Buidlings to make the repairs, but the job left the unit in a unlivable condition. Bronte called the cops, but they told her to settle the dispute with the landlord.

A Williamsburg tenants advocate called Alokasheh’s move a demolition of the apartment, and said they would work to take control of the building he bought three years ago. [Brooklyn Paper]