From ABC7 New York · · 1m 20s
Bronx tenants ask court to take over troubled building
Residents of 2440 Walton Ave. say fire damage, mold and unsafe wiring have left homes unlivable while rent still comes due.
In brief
Residents of 2440 Walton Ave. say fire damage, mold and unsafe wiring have left homes unlivable while rent still comes due. Tenants want Bronx Housing Court to appoint an outside administrator to force repairs and manage the building. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
Tenants push back
Residents of 2440 Walton Ave. rallied in Fordham, asking a court to take control of the building after months of unsafe conditions.
Damage forced people out
A partial vacate order is already in place. Tenants point to water damage from last year and an April 27 fire that left apartments torn open.
“I've been living in a shelter since this situation.”
Violations top 100
A lawsuit lists more than 100 housing code violations, including mold, flooding and live hanging wires. Advocates say six units had to be vacated.
A longtime tenant waits
Diana Rodriguez, a 25-year resident, says conditions worsened after Bradley and Ryan Zar's company took over. She still pays rent while staying with family.
“It's been hell from 2019 up it's been hell.”
Tenants seek outside control
NYLAG filed a June petition for 10 households, asking for a third-party administrator to handle daily management instead of the owners.
Court date is next
The owners referred ABC7 to their attorney. Tenants, lawyers and advocates plan to return to Bronx Housing Court next Tuesday to seek a trial date.
“If they don't do it, the courts will do it.”
The bottom line
Tenants want Bronx Housing Court to appoint an outside administrator to force repairs and manage the building.
