By Lev D. Zilbermints
Since writing the initial story in its November 18 edition, “Local Talk” has unearthed new facts and information about Garden Spires Apartments. Information for this article was obtained through hours of interviews, obtaining copies of key documents, online research and other sources.
According to Delores Black, president of the Garden Spires Tenants Association, “the New York owners of the property do not care about the tenants, they only care about money.”
In a two-hour written interview with “Local Talk,” held at the South Orange Public Library on December 1, Black laid bare multiple grievances by tenants against management.
Landlord not upholding
conditions of the lease
According to a copy of the lease, “from time to time, various government regulatory agencies will need to perform monitoring inspections of the apartment units and Tenant files, in order to determine whether the property continues to meet program requirements. Tenant will receive proper notice of these inspections and must be willing to allow access to its apartment…”
Black says that “management does not inform tenants properly.” Tenants are not allowed to have inspectors, maintenance or anyone enter their apartments after business hours and unexpectedly. Not because of COVID.”
The lease specifically stated that tenants could not allow inspectors into their apartments without approval and prior notice from property management. As reported by “Local Talk” in its November 18 edition, tenants will allow inspectors into their apartments with proper advance notice.
Black, the tenant association president, previously told “Local Talk,” “We had inspectors come out, but management controlled what units they went to. [This] is not fair because of course, management sent them to units where folks had no issues. Mainly Section 8 tenants.”
According to the lease agreement, utilities and services are provided for by the landlord. This means that “the Landlord will provide water, heat and electricity. The landlord will also provide for removal of normal household trash in sealed plastic bags and dispose of it by placing it in one of the garbage dumpsters. The tenant is responsible for all other utilities and services, including but not limited to the cable and television services.”
As was reported in the November 18 issue of “Local Talk,” the landlord has failed to provide water and heat in a timely manner. Residents also complain of overfilled dumpsters, of the trash not being disposed by property management in a timely manner.
The lease agreement states that the landlord agrees to regularly clean all common areas of the complex; maintain the common areas and facilities in a safe condition; arrange for the collection and removal of trash and garbage; maintain all equipment and appliances in a safe and working order; make necessary repairs with reasonable promptness; provide extermination services as necessary; and maintain grounds and shrubs.
As reported by “Local Talk” in its November 18 issue and by nj.com in its October 18 issue, the landlord has not provided extermination services; made necessary repairs with reasonable promptness; maintained the common and facilities in a safe condition; or arranged for the collection and removal of garbage in a prompt manner.
A May 4, 2020 notice informs tenants of a monthly $10 air conditioning charge between June and September. However, Black asks why should tenants have to pay for air conditioners when Housing and Urban Development pays all utility bills?
As proof of HUD paying utility bills, Black offered a flyer from property management. It read, “STOP. YOUR LEASE HAS EXPIRED! You may have lost your HUD Rent-Assistance And/Or Will go to Full Market Rent. Contact the Office immediately.”
Parking Grievances
An undated letter on Garden Spires Urban Renewal, L.P. stationery informs tenants that parking privileges will resume at the cost of $35.00 per month, payable in 3 months in advance. This comes to $105.00 for three months.
Delores Black organized a petition against the parking fees. At least 173 tenants signed the petition. On October 1, 2020 notice was sent to all tenants suspending the parking fees until further notice. However, this victory came with a price. According to Black, “management spitefully revoked my parking spot solely because I started the petition to submit the suspension of parking fees.”
At the bottom of the undated letter, there is a statement, “Garden Spires Urban Renewal, L.P. does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities.” Delores Black told “Local Talk” that she disagreed with this statement.
By way of example, nj.com wrote in its October 18 article about Lucia James, a Garden Spires tenant who had both legs amputated due to complications from peripheral artery disease. James told nj.com that property management was slow to respond even on minor issues, such as providing a duplicate key for James when she was locked out of her apartment.
Delores Black told “Local Talk” that “the speed bumps actually make it hard for EMT and the Fire Department to enter the premises.”
Illegal increase of rent during coronavirus pandemic
Documents show that tenant rent may be increased or decreased based on household income. According to an undated letter on Reliant Stationery to tenants, “As you may be aware, the HUD model lease includes a provision that permits assisted residents to report decreases in household income. … With the awareness of the orders and guidelines recently issues by local and state governments that have restricted the operations of a wide range of businesses (e.g. restaurants, retail stores, etc.) Reliant wants to remind you of your right to report a loss of income so that the management staff can perform an interim recertification that may result in a decrease in your tenant rent.”
Delores Black showed “Local Talk” paperwork proving a decrease in income. This included job loss, unemployment, a school letter, and a 2019 tax return. Black also showed paperwork from Garden Spires management, increasing rent from $1369 to $1569 per month. The lease was dated by management as running from 9/1/2020 to 8/31/2021. However, during this time, both federal and state moratoriums on eviction were in effect. Put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic, the moratoriums forbade the eviction of tenants for non-payment of rent for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.
According to Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium: Housing Relief Answers | RamseySolutions.com, the United States Supreme Court ended the federal moratorium on August 26, 2021. However, cities and states have their own moratoriums in place. For example, New York City has a moratorium in place until January 15, 2022. The city of Fresno, California, has a moratorium on evictions until further notice.
New Jersey’s moratorium on evictions expires December 31, 2021 unless the Governor or the Legislature choose to extend it.
Harassment
According to Black, management harasses all tenants that are too vocal about management’s tactics. For example, management revoked Black’s parking spot because she started the petition to submit the suspension of parking fees.
Another time management tried to intimidate Black. Black said that Robert O’Connor and Earl Williams, both part of Mobile Response Team, called her into their office and started talking to her. This is how Delores Black describes what happened.
“These men called me into their office that was occupied with a room full of other men, some dressed in suits and others in plainclothes. They began speaking to me about my lease and I told them I was uncomfortable in this room full of men. I was bothered being a domestic violence survivor in a room full of men I was surrounded by. I also stated, why are you speaking to me about something that management should be speaking to me about? I got up and left the room.”
According to Black, “management threatened security officers with losing their jobs if they allow me entry to my building at 175 1st Street Newark, NJ 07107.”
As reported in the November 18 edition of “Local Talk,” other vocal tenants were harassed by management.
“Yes, other vocal tenant are being harassed and threatened with eviction. Management have MRT (Mobile Response Team) put “Lease Violation” notices on the vocal tenants’ doors, Black wrote in a previous email.
Security based out of New York
Documents show that Reliant Safety Properties are based in Newark. These are Garden Spires, located at 175-195 1st Street, Newark NJ, and Spruce Spires, located at 717,719,725 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Newark, NJ, and 90, 94, 100 Spruce Street, Newark, NJ. All are monitored by cameras.
Other camera – monitored sites in Newark include Grace West Manor; Villa Victoria; Pilgrim Village; 2 Court Street; and 2 Nevada Street.
The Reliant Partners in Security is based out of 909 3rd Avenue, 21st floor, New York, New York 10022. According to Black, Robert O’Connor and Earl Williams are responsible for enforcing New York laws in Garden Spires. Both men are former members of the New York Police Department.
According to www.reliant safe.com/leadership the company has clients in eleven states, 20,000 residential units in low-income, affordable housing complexes; and 13,000+ water-resistant and tamper-proof video surveillance cameras are maintained and monitored by Reliant Safety across the country.
According to the website, the use of security cameras helps to reduce the amount of physical security on site, which in turn, can greatly reduce property operating expenses.
“Local Talk” will keep its readers updated regarding new developments on the Spires.
