AG sues Marolda Properties for alleged tenant harassment

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against Marolda Properties and a group of landlords for allegedly trying to illegally push rent-regulated tenants in Chinatown and the Lower East Side out of their apartments.

Schneiderman claims that Marolda, which manages properties and is also a landlord, refused to renew tenants’ leases in violation of rent protection laws and served notices falsely claiming tenants weren’t using units as primary residences. “Unfortunately, some landlords believe they can get away with using these tactics to coerce tenants out of their apartments so they can then raise the rent,” he said in a statement.

Schneiderman seeks damages and a court order halting the alleged harassment. The lawsuit also names LLCs that own 83 Baxter Street, 7 Rivington Street, 90 Elizabeth Street, 65 Ludlow Street, 13-15 Essex Street and 100 Forsyth Street.

Marolda, headed by Lawrence Marolda, sold two Nolita rental properties three Lower East Side buildings and for a combined $55 million last year.

The AG is also expected to announce a $1.6 million settlement with American Hope Group, which allegedly ran a scam collecting fees for mortgage rescue without actually delivering. [NYDN] — Konrad Putzier