2023 ‘Worst Landlord Watchlist’ Includes These UWS Building Owners

Office of the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams

Jonathan Santana is New York City’s word landlord for the second year in a row, according to the 2023 edition of the Worst Landlord Watchlist, released this week by Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams.

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The annual list identifies landlords who “consistently flout City laws intended to protect the rights and safety of tenants,” spotlighting the 100 property owners with the most open HPD violations throughout the year.

Santana owns fifteen buildings on the list, one of which is on the UWS: 104 West 83rd Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues.

(Google Maps)

The five-story, 18-unit rental building had an average of 119 open HPD violations through the year (up from 117 the previous year). In the last three years, the most common complaints at this building were about heat and hot water, paint / plaster and appliances. Some of the more recent complaints were about a broken window, pests and garbage accumulation. The most recently available rental was a $3,500 furnished one-bedroom.

Santana also owns two Upper East Side buildings which made the list.

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Ivan Disla was named 58th worst landlord in the city. He’s got five buildings on the list, two of which are on the UWS: 698 Amsterdam Ave and 700 Amsterdam Ave, at West 94th Street.

698 and 700 Amsterdam Avenue (Google Maps)

698 Amsterdam Avenue: This five-story, 13-unit building had an average of 127 open HPD violations throughout the year (down from 128 the previous year). In the last three years, the most common complaints were about heat and hot water, pests and appliances. On November 28, one tenant made seven separate complaints about a variety of things: broken pipes, rodents and insects, a defective cabinet, water damage, mold, and a problem flushing their toilet. Currently, there’s a two-bedroom apartment available for $2,850.

700 Amsterdam Avenue: This five-story, 13-unit building had an average of 177 open HPD violations throughout the year (down from 210 the previous year). In the last three years, the most common complaints have been about pests, heat and hot water, and issues with doors and windows. The most recent complaint was made on Dec. 13 and was about a lack of heat; this complaint is still open. Most recently, a three-bedroom apartment in the building rented for $3,600, per Streeteasy.

READ MORE: UWS Zip Code Among Top 100 Most Expensive in Country

David Deutsch was ranked # 55. He has twelve buildings on the list, one of which is 250 West 72nd Street (between Broadway and West End Ave).

250 West 72nd Street (Google Maps)

This five-floor building has twelve apartments and had an average of 59 open violations throughout the year (up from 56 the previous year). In the last three years, the most common complaints were about pests, paint/plaster and electric. It should be noted, however, that almost every HPD complaint made in the last year was filed by the same third floor tenant. This person has reported issues including but not limited to: peeling paint, collapsing ceilings, pests, heat, leaking, and broken or defective doors, light switches and floors. According to Streeteasy, the last available apartment at this building was a $2,700 one-bedroom which rented in September 2022.

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David Gomez was ranked the 33rd worst landlord in NYC. He has thirteen buildings on the list, with one of them being 495 Amsterdam Avenue at West 84th Street.

495 Amsterdam Avenue (Google Maps)

The corner building which houses CPW on its retail level comes with nine apartments, according to Streeteasy (it appears to have been recently remodeled; the Watchlist only counts five units). Throughout the year, the building had an average of 39 open HPD violations, with the most common complaints over the last three years being about electric, plumbing and garbage/recycling storage. A four-bedroom apartment listed at $6,000 was just taken off the market a few days ago.

Jonah Bamberger was ranked the 63rd worst landlord in the city. He has four buildings on the watchlist, including 2647 Broadway, between 100th and 101st streets.

2647 Broadway (Google Maps)

The 26-unit building which housed Tip Tip Stores until it closed early this year had an average of 125 open HPD violations throughout the year. The most common complaints made over the last three years were about issues pertaining to heat/hot water, doors and windows, and buzzers / intercom systems. There’s currently one open complaint about a “heavy flow” in the bathroom of a fourth floor apartment. According to Streeteasy, a two-bedroom apartment rented for $3,695 earlier this month.

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Magdalena Kosz was ranked # 94 on the Worst Landlord Watchlist. She owns five buildings on the list, one of which is 202 West 82nd Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.

202 West 82nd Street (Google Maps)

The 30-unit building had an average of 126 open HPD violations throughout 2023. Over the last three years, heat/hot water, water leaks, and garbage/recycling have been the most common types of complaints. There are currently three open complaints: two are about leaks and one is about the gas being turned off. The most recent rental was a one-bedroom which rented for $2,995 in February, according to Streeteasy.