Manhattan landlord Daniel Ohebshaolm has been indicted on multiple charges for allegedly subjecting rent regulated tenants to deplorable living conditions in an attempt to force them out of their units and sell the buildings for profit. The indictment, announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, follows Ohebshaolm’s recent incarceration for numerous violations at two of his Manhattan properties.
According to prosecutors, Ohebshaolm engaged in a pattern of tenant abuse over several years, neglecting maintenance until units became uninhabitable, withholding essential services like heat and hot water during winter, and failing to install basic locks on front doors. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office claims that Ohebshaolm’s intention was to create such horrific living conditions that long-term tenants would be compelled to vacate their apartments, allowing him to renovate and sell the buildings at inflated prices.
The scheme, known as “engineering vacancies,” was allegedly openly discussed by Ohebshaolm and his business partners. The landlord is also accused of falsifying documentation to certify completion of maintenance work that was never performed. In some instances, Ohebshaolm allegedly used the names of associates’ employees on building documents to conceal his ownership and evade responsibility for building issues.
Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber stated, “This defendant created unlivable and dangerous conditions for the tenants in his rent-regulated apartments, a pattern of neglect that was intended to push them out.” Numerous tenants in Ohebshaolm’s buildings have reported infestations of roaches, rats damaging walls, black mold, lead paint, electrical issues, and unaddressed leaks resulting in holes in ceilings and walls. The indictment even alleges that a damaged ceiling collapsed on a young child in one incident.
Ohebshaolm, a member of a prominent family of New York City landlords, was previously incarcerated in March for nearly 700 unaddressed violations at two of his Manhattan apartment buildings. Shortly after his booking, he was assaulted by another inmate. Tenants in his buildings, upon hearing the news of his indictment, expressed relief and satisfaction, with one tenant stating, “God forgive me for laughing.”
1 Response
It’s disheartening to hear about landlords like Daniel Ohebshaolm who prioritize their own financial gain over the well-being of their tenants. Rent-regulated housing exists to protect vulnerable individuals and families from being priced out of their homes. When landlords resort to tactics like neglecting maintenance and creating deplorable living conditions, it not only violates the trust between landlord and tenant but also undermines the purpose of rent regulation. It’s crucial for authorities to hold individuals like Ohebshaol