FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 6, 2020 • THE QUEENS COURIER 19
Rego Park woman continues ongoing battle
to stay in her apartment of over 40 years
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
edavenport@qns.com
@QNS
In 2019, Queens native Arlene
Moskowitz was embroiled in an ongoing
dispute with her landlord. In 2020, not
much has changed.
Moskowitz has lived in her rent-controlled
apartment in Rego Park since the
early 1980s. Th e co-op unit is owned by
Mew Hills LLC, a corporation operated
by David and Amy Weber, which acquired
the unit in 2002.
Moskowitz’s son, Howie Moskowitz,
claims that the landlord is trying to push
his mother out so they can raise the rent.
“If she were to move tomorrow, the
landlord could double or triple the rent,”
Howie said.
Howie said that in 2011, Arlene’s apartment
took some damage due to a leak
from an air conditioner in the bedroom.
Th ough the Moskowitzes alerted the landlord
about the leak, they say it took them
months to go out there and check it out.
Since then, there have been a number of
issues with the apartment that the landlords
have not fi xed, or took weeks and
months to address, including signifi cant
leaks, warped fl oors, and a faulty stove
and refrigerator.
“A couple of years ago, we could smell
gas in the apartment. We opened the window
and got my mom out and called the
fi re department,” said Howie. “Th ank god
for them. Th ey turned off the gas and
deemed the stove defective. Th ey found
the leak below the apartment in the oilgas
conversion device. When the landlord
sent someone to look at the stove,
they wanted us to turn on the gas, which
is illegal. We had to wait six weeks without
a stove.”
Since November 2017, Moskowitz’s
apartment has racked up 32 open violations,
according to the Housing and
Preservation Department website.
“It eventually led to court litigation,”
said Howie. “Th e landlord doesn’t want
the repairs done; he just wants to harass
her and get her out. But that’s not going to
happen.”
In June 2019, a new set of laws were
passed in New York City that was meant to
give more protections for renters, including
a protection that made it so rent-stabilized
apartments will remain rent-stabilized
regardless of their rent level and the
tenants’ income. Despite these protections
for renters, Moskowitz said that the landlord
is actively listing the apartment in
newspapers and showing the apartment
like it is available when it is not.
“In August 2017, the landlord put the
apartment up for sale and people were
trying to get in while repairs were being
made,” said Howie. “In November 2019,
people were coming back to try and see
the apartment.”
Howie said that they have sent multiple
cease and desist letters to the landlord
and have tried to get an order of protection
but have had no success. Th ey have
Photos by Dean Moses
reached out to multiple city and state
agencies for help.
Howie stated that he and his mother
have had little help from the Queens district
attorney’s offi ce in regard to these
incidents. Th e Moskowitz family was
meant to have a hearing in May, which
has since been delayed.
“My mom’s lease is set to expire in
October 2020, and the landlord is supposed
to off er her a lease renewal,” said
Howie. “Th ey won’t do the repairs unless
ordered by a court. We’re in no man’s land
right now.”
Attempts to reach Mew Hills LLC have
been unsuccessful.
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