NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced his office plans to take action against tenant harassment and other housing issues facing New Yorkers.
Schneiderman has created a new team that will help streamline efforts and resources in the fight against tenant harassment, deceptive lending practices, deed theft, bank fraud, and other housing issues facing citizens of New York.
“Affordable housing is a fundamental need that should be accessible to all New Yorkers,” Schneiderman said. “Unfortunately, unscrupulous landlords and scofflaws in the housing industry take advantage of too many New Yorkers. The new measures being taken by my office will ensure that we are using every legal tool at our disposal to best protect tenants and homeowners against abuse.”
Schneiderman’s Real Estate Finance Bureau is being restructured and will expand to address tenant harassment claims. Bureau chief Brent Meltzer, a current assistant commissioner at New York City Housing and Preservation Development, will begin working for the Attorney General’s Office Aug. 1.
“It is an honor to join the incredibly talented team in Attorney General Schneiderman’s Office and to contribute to their positive work fighting tenant harassment and other efforts on behalf of New Yorkers facing barriers to their housing needs,” Meltzer said.