**NYC’s Worst Landlords Exposed: A Call for Accountability in 2024**
New York City’s ongoing housing crisis remains a pressing issue, with unsafe living conditions affecting thousands of tenants citywide. On January 22, 2025, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams unveiled the *2024 Worst Landlords List*, an annual report highlighting property owners whose negligence has created unlivable environments for renters. The initiative seeks to not only expose bad actors but also compel them to take responsibility for their failings. As Williams aptly remarked, these landlords are “choosing to profit off the pain of New Yorkers,” often leaving their tenants in squalid, unsafe, and hazardous conditions.
### **2024’s Worst Offender: Barry Singer**
At the top of this year’s list is Barry Singer, who oversees seven buildings with a staggering 1,800 open Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) violations. The violations range from heating and hot water issues—particularly dire during NYC’s frigid winters—to broader structural concerns. During the city’s recent “heat season” (October to May), Singer’s tenants filed a shocking 121 complaints about heating failures alone. This left many residents, including vulnerable populations like children and seniors, enduring dangerously cold conditions in their homes.
Williams used the event to call out Singer, stating sarcastically, *“Congratulations Barry,”* highlighting the landlord’s long-standing neglect and misconduct. Barry Singer may be this year’s most egregious offender, but he isn’t alone. The top 10 landlords on the 2024 list, including Alfred Thompson, Karen Geer, and Claudette Henry, collectively manage 400 buildings, many rife with complaints about rodent infestations, electrical hazards, and other basic safety concerns. On average, each of these buildings carries 146 unresolved HPD violations.
### **A System Under Strain**
While private landlords are being held accountable, even the city’s public housing system is failing to meet tenants’ needs. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)—the largest public landlord in the city—ended 2024 with an unprecedented backlog of 611,000 open work orders, up by 35,000 from the previous year. In one troubling case, families in Staten Island public housing endured more than a week without heat or hot water during December’s freezing conditions. These delays and failures by what should be a model of public housing often exacerbate a crisis already affecting NYC’s most vulnerable populations.
As Public Advocate Williams pointed out, the consequences of housing neglect go far beyond tenant inconvenience. “These conditions aren’t just inconvenient—they’re dangerous and life-altering,” he said. Winter heating failures, rodent infestations, structural disrepair, and other chronic issues do untold harm to physical and mental well-being, especially for tenants who have no means to move elsewhere.
### **Toward Greater Accountability**
This latest list is more than just a showcase of problematic landlords—it’s a clear call to action. Williams stressed the importance of legislative changes, including a proposal that would mandate quicker responses from the HPD when tenant complaints are filed. Such measures could reduce landlords’ ability to delay necessary repairs indefinitely.
The initiative has proven effective in past years. In 2023, the landlord who topped the list faced legal consequences, including jail time, after sustained public pressure brought to light their violations. This serves as a critical reminder: public accountability works, and landlords who flout the rules will face real consequences if exposed.
Tenants themselves are also being encouraged to participate in the push for change. The *Worst Landlords List* acts not only as a resource for renters seeking information about problematic landlords but also as a tool to empower New Yorkers to demand better. As Williams noted, “Housing is a human right,” and exposing these failures is crucial to protecting that right for every resident in the city.
### **What’s Next?**
New York City’s housing landscape is a microcosm of national issues related to affordability, safety, and landlord accountability. While initiatives like the *Worst Landlords List* and tenant advocacy groups are putting pressure on bad actors, much work remains to ensure systemic changes are made. As 2024’s list demonstrates, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
For tenants facing neglect, it’s essential to report violations through official city channels, as every voice counts in pushing forward meaningful change. To view the full *2024 Worst Landlords List* and stay informed, visit **[landlordwatchlist.com](https://www.landlordwatchlist.com)**. Transparency, advocacy, and legislative reform remain critical in the fight for safe, humane housing for all.
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Photo Credit: Dean Moses
