Unlawful and abusive landlord who will harass you
Pros
Apt is sunny
Cons
*1123 Bergen and 1125 Bergen are owned by the same owner After only 3 months, I had to move out due to landlord Joycelyn Thomas’s unlawful behaviors and harassment. She apparently makes her own rules and completely ignores the Tenants’ right, it’s been a living hell since I moved in. Her rules include: 1. I shouldn’t be working from home because it could cause her higher utility bills. Utilities are included in my rent but the first week I moved in, she made it clear she’ll increase my rent if her electricity bills go up due to me staying home more. 2. Guests are prohibited. She told me I cannot have any guests especially female friends (I am a woman) and I’ll need to go to their house to hang out. She has threatened me that having friends visit is a lease breaker and this will not end up well with her. 3. No exterminator ever in her house. I asked for exterminator after seeing roaches, she yelled for over 2mins that she never calls exterminators and my ask is nonsense. There are also mice in the apartment but I didn’t bother to ask her unless I want to be yelled at again. 3. She and her son spy on her tenants. Her son who lives by my unit constantly watches me over and reports to the landlord. She never comes up to 2nd floor which is my floor but she always knows what I do at my own apt, whether it’s the pair of shoes I left by my door or when my friend visited me at home. 4. You have to answer her calls and she doesn’t care if you are in a work meeting or whatever. She will keep on calling if you don’t answer and will leave you over 2mins long voicemail by yelling a lot. Other issues I’ve experienced: 1. Non stop construction noise that lasts until 9pm or even 11pm. I’m forced to leave my apt to work. After multiple complaints directly to her and her employee Rudy, nothing changes and Rudy will talk to you rudely. 2 Retaliation. After I called 311, she blew up and insulted me that this is a very low behavior of me and speaks to who I am. Absurdly, she calls herself the best landlord and that people have begged to stay at her apartment because it’s such a quiet place. The story gets better that she wrote a note saying I’m refrained from spitefully calling any inspectors, otherwise the lease termination agreement we’ve both signed will be invalid. I’m positive Ms. Thomas doesn’t read any tenant law and she confidently handed me this note and signed on it. The money I lost by having to leave comparing to the emotional distress is nothing. I hope my review saves you money, time and energy so you don’t have to go through what I have to deal with.
Advice to the owners
Speak to a psychiatrist about your emotional abusive and vengeful behaviors, and restore a healthy mentality and communications with anyone in your life. Stop renting your place since you always “don’t feel well and have high blood pressure” due to your tenants’ “nonsense and craziness.” You don’t have the emotional capacity and capability as a NY landlord. Stop abuse others and yourself.