New York City

NYC Landlords Busted for Dividing Apartments Into Micro-Rooms

The Department of Buildings say the landlords of 165 Henry Street subdivided an apartment on the first floor and another on the third floor into at least 18 tiny rooms without a permit

What to Know

  • Landlords of 165 Henry Street allegedly turned two apartments into at least 18 tiny rooms without a permit, the city says
  • Gothamist reported that each of the apartments were being rented out for $600 a month
  • The apartments had ceiling less than 5 feet high and were divided horizontally, according to another report

The average New Yorker’s small apartment is nothing compared these illegal micro-apartments on the Lower East Side.

The Department of Buildings say the landlords of 165 Henry Street subdivided an apartment on the first floor and another on the third floor into at least 18 tiny rooms without a permit. 

Gothamist reported that each of the apartments were being rented out for $600 a month.

Buildings Department spokesman Andrew Rudansky told the New York Post that the units had ceilings that are 4½-foot high. The apartments were divided horizontally, the report said.

"Every New Yorker deserves a safe and legal place to live, which is why we’re committed to routing out dangerous firetraps and ordering the landlords to make these apartments safe. Tenants living in truncated windowless dwelling units like this poses an extreme hazard to their safety, as well as the safety of their neighbors, and first responders," he said.

Officials placed a stop work order on the building as well as a partial order to vacate after the FDNY reported illegal occupancy. At least 11 quality of life violations were issued against one landlord, Xue Ping Ni, on Aug. 14, according the the DOB. The tenants are getting help from the Red Cross.

The New York Post reported that officials are still looking for Ni.

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