Village Tenant Celebrates Overcharge Win
To the Editor:
Enclosed please find a check for $335. I am paying my regular
annual dues of $35, plus an additional donation of $300 for Met
Council to continue your good work in trying times.
I am able to make this donation at this time because I have,
after a very long and drawn-out fight with my landlord, finally
won a sizable rent-overcharge award (and he actually paid).
Nearly six years ago, I realized that I was the victim of a
"Illusory Prime Tenant" scam and fought an illegal eviction as
well as demanding a refund of the rent overcharges. Well, the
the landlord’s best friend (a.k.a. the prime tenant) finally
gave up and paid after the third ruling in my favor.
It was the good advice I got from a walk-in meeting on a
Saturday morning on East Fourth Street that put me on the road
that eventually led to this outcome. I feel you should share in
my fortune. I wish it could be a larger donation, but
unfortunately, my landlord is threatening to take this case to
the appellate courts. If he does that, you can share in the
satisfaction that he has paid for my legal battle as well.
Mine is one of those stories that should be told to prove that
it is possible to win these fights against "Dracula landlords."
Someday, maybe when I have time, I’ll tell or write the story
for you to publicize in your monthly paper. But for now, share
in my good fortune and put it to good use.
Scott Sirkin
Manhattan
Pets in Housing Update
Since your November issue went to press, we have learned that
Intro. 1056, the City Council bill that would clarify the city’s
existing pets-in-housing law and grant special protections to
senior citizens with pets, has been co-sponsored by eight other
Councilmembers: Lloyd Henry and Annette Robinson of Brooklyn;
Helen Marshall and John Sabini of Queens; C. Virginia Fields and
Guillermo Linares of Manhattan; Wendell Foster of The Bronx; and
Jerome O’Donovan of Staten Island.
We also urged supporters of the bill to write to members of the
Council’s Housing and Buildings Committee. However, instead of
Councilmember Federico Perez, the article inadvertently gave the
name of his predecessor, David Rosado.
Since action on the bill is not expected before the end of the
current Council session and it should be reintroduced when the
Council reconvenes in January, you can also write to your
Councilmember and ask him or her to co-sponsor the bill
Stanley Michaels
Councilmember, Manhattan
