Tenants united in their frustration are demanding changes from ‘NYC’s worst landlord’.
On Thursday, June 2, over a dozen tenants from several Ved Parkash-owned buildings met outside the Bronx Housing Court to announce the formation of the ‘Parkash Tenant Coalition’ and demand a face-to-face meeting with the landlord to address dozens of violations affecting their safety.
The coalition sought to deliver a letter to Parkash detailing tenant demands calling for professional repairs at their buildings, increased security, better communication with management and legal aggressive legal strategies.
Joining them were Councilman Rafael Salamanca, Public Advocate Letitia James, Community Action for Safe Apartments, Urban Justice Center’s Community Development Project and Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition.
Edward Lenis, NWBCCC tenant organizer, said the coalition’s attempt to deliver the letter were denied by a representative for Parkash.
“The conditions our tenants are living in are entirely unacceptable and we need to hold Ved Parkash accountable,” said Salamanca.
Over 25 tenants from 1530 Sheridan Avenue rallied outside of Bronx Housing Court on Thursday, May 26 for their first court date against Parkash.
With support from Urban Justice Center’s Community Development Project and CASA, the tenants sued Parkash to pressure him into completing vital repairs.
“We have had these problems consistently and we are tired of it,” expressed tenant leader Luis Ramos.
Located in the Grand Concourse, the 85-unit pre-war rent-stabilized building has fallen into disrepair during a succession of poor ownership.
Kerriann Pauls, staff attorney at Urban Justice Center’s Community Project, said the landlord’s attorney, Anurag Parkash, Ved Parkash’s son, agreed to address all of the most severe ‘C’ violations over the next ten days, all ‘B’ violations in the next 30 days and all ‘A’ violations in the next 45 days.
A CASA spokesman said 1530 Sheridan Avenue’s most severe violations include no window guards, lack of heat and hot water and lead paint.
As previously reported in the Bronx Times, Parkash was ranked ‘number one’ on Public Advocate James’ ‘100 Worst Landlords in New York City’ last November for accumulating a jaw dropping 2,369 violations in 11 of his 43 buildings.
Parkash owns approximately 40 buildings in the Bronx.
The problematic properties include 2675 Creston Avenue, 2125 Cruger Avenue, 2487 Davidson Avenue, 180 E. 163rd Street, 58 E. 190th Street, 751 Gerard Avenue, 815 Gerard Avenue, 750 Grand Concourse, 2820 Sedgwick Avenue, 2454 Tiebout Avenue and 835 Walton Avenue.
On Monday, April 4, 38 tenants from 750 Grand Concourse filed a complaint against Parkash to have him address the violations plaguing their building.
The landlord’s attorney promised to make the repairs at 750 Grand Concourse within 30 days.
According to a CASA spokesman, as of Monday, June 6 only 220 of the original 500 plus NYC Housing Preservation and Development open violations remain open at 750 Grand Concourse.
