Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a rare and unprecedented move, a New York City landlord could be facing jail time for “dangerous conditions” present in two of his Manhattan apartment buildings, as was recently reported in The New York Times. The city’s announcement on Monday has drawn attention to the often overlooked consequences landlords may face for neglecting their properties.

Housing court judge Jack Stoller issued an arrest warrant for landlord Daniel Ohebshalom last Friday, citing persistent problems including lead, mold, and pests in buildings located in Washington Heights, according to the information provided in the NYT report. The warrant stipulates that Ohebshalom could be detained for up to 60 days unless he rectifies the violations.

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development revealed that nearly 700 open violations were identified across the two buildings. As was indicated in the NYT report, Ohebshalom’s properties have also been featured multiple times in the city public advocate’s “worst landlords” watchlist, reflecting a pattern of neglect and disregard for tenant safety.

“If you create unsafe, unhealthy, and unlivable conditions, we will hold you accountable,” declared housing commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. in a statement on Monday, as was noted in the NYT report. He emphasized the city’s commitment to ensuring safe and habitable living environments for all residents.

However, Ohebshalom’s lawyer, Vladimir Mironenko, has not yet provided a comment in response to the developments. In defense of his client, Mironenko pointed out that ongoing lawsuits filed by tenants have impeded the landlord’s ability to address some of the issues highlighted by the housing court,  as per the information in the NYT report.

As of Monday afternoon, Ohebshalom was not in custody, according to a spokeswoman for the housing department. The report added that efforts are underway to coordinate with authorities in California, where Ohebshalom resides, potentially leading to his extradition to New York.

The move to pursue criminal consequences for housing code violations is exceedingly rare in New York City. However, advocates for tenants welcome the unprecedented action against Ohebshalom, highlighting the egregious nature of the conditions endured by tenants in his buildings.

Ashley Viruet, a supervising attorney with Manhattan Legal Services’ tenants rights coalition, described the arrest warrant as “unprecedented” and emphasized the urgency of holding landlords accountable for maintaining safe and habitable living conditions, the report in the NYT said. Viruet noted that Ohebshalom’s history of fines, court orders, and contempt charges underscores the severity of the situation.

Jay Martin, executive director of the Community Housing Improvement Program, a landlord group, echoed the sentiment, affirming support for efforts to crackdown on landlords who exploit their tenants. The NYT also reported that Martin emphasized the broader implications of allowing negligent property owners to operate unchecked, highlighting the threat they pose to responsible landlords and tenants alike.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of Daniel Ohebshalom serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact neglectful landlords can have on the lives of tenants, and the importance of robust enforcement measures to uphold the rights and well-being of residents across New York City.