Governor Announces $514k Settlement Against Landlord for Overcharging Rent

On February 14, 2024, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced a settlement of $514,000 by New York State Homes and Community Renewal Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) against Manhattan landlord Steven Croman of Centennial Properties for unlawfully defrauding renters. Croman was found guilty of engaging in a scheme to lease regulated units for less than one or two years which in turn made apartments unavailable for New Yorkers in search of safe, stable housing. The … <Read More>




Comptroller M/WBE Report Shows City Needs to Make More Progress in Distributing Contracts

On February 14, 2024, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released the Annual Report on M/WBE Procurement which found that the City fell short of ensuring equitable distribution of contracts with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs). The report takes into consideration a review of contract registration data from the City and analyzes M/WBE contracts based on procurement method, dollar value, and industry. The report examines city agencies’ use of the M/WBE Noncompetitive Small Purchase … <Read More>


City Imposes Two-Year Facade Inspecting Ban for Engineer Following December Partial Building Collapse in the Bronx

On February 22, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Buildings announced an agreement for a two-year suspension for a professional engineer to conduct facade inspections following the December 2023 partial collapse of 1915 Billingsley Terrace in the Bronx. Several families lost their apartments, although there fortunately were no fatalities or serious injuries.