New York City Sues Landlords for Ring of Illegal Short-Term Rentals in Brooklyn

Defendants Gennaro Brooks-Church and Loretta Gendville deceptively marketed illegal short-term rentals at 9 Brooklyn buildings on Airbnb platform

Both individuals previously accused of unlawful tenant harassment and eviction threats at 1214 Dean Street

NEW YORK—Today, the City of New York filed a lawsuit against two individuals who jointly operated a ring of illegal short-term rentals across nine Brooklyn buildings for four years, continuing well into the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Today's suit filed against defendants Gennaro Brooks-Church and Loretta Gendville follows New York City's actions to prevent unlawful evictions at 1214 Dean Street, one of various properties they own. Since 2016, the defendants have converted 14 out of 22 permanent residential dwelling units into illegal short-term rentals, generating approximately $1.4 million in revenue while hosting travelers in hazardous conditions through at least the summer of 2020.

"The safety and health of New Yorkers is our paramount concern, especially now more than ever," said Christian Klossner, Executive Director of the Office of Special Enforcement (OSE). "As the city continues to heal and more residents seek safe, permanent housing, we refuse to turn a blind eye to illegal activity from unscrupulous owners, hosts, or platforms that knowingly endanger tenants."

"Ensuring New Yorkers have a safe, affordable, and quality home is this administration's top priority," said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. "We will not tolerate landlords who pad their pockets by defrauding visitors and placing them in harm's way, and ultimately deprive New Yorkers of permanent housing opportunities."

"This administration will take aggressive action to make sure tenants are protected and stably housed," said Ricardo Martínez Campos, Deputy Director of the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT). "No tenant should face housing instability during this pandemic, and the City will work to uncover all the ways tenant harassers endanger residents and take housing away from New Yorkers."

Over the course of its investigation, OSE found that the defendants were flouting restrictions on transient housing at various properties across Brooklyn, largely in the Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill neighborhoods but also at buildings in East Williamsburg, Flatbush, and East New York.

Both individuals are listed as owners of at least five buildings, including:

• 121 East 54th Street
• 22 2nd Street
• 158 Douglass Street
• 571 Barbey Street
• 115 Beadel Street

Brooks-Church and Gendville are also associated with illegal short-term rental listings at buildings they do not own, including:

• 331 Smith Street
• 280 Court Street
• 149 Prospect Avenue
• 338 Union Street

The properties include a mix of residential buildings, including one- and two-family homes, which under longstanding New York State law may not be used for short-term rentals unless the host is living in the unit and there are not more than two guests.

The City is seeking injunctive relief against the defendants and $1 million in punitive damages, as well as penalties for consumer deception and a restitution fund for any guests deceived by the illegal listings.

This is the City's second suit against Brooks-Church and Gendville stemming from egregious actions as landlords that resulted in the harassment and eviction threats against residential tenants at 1214 Dean Street. In November, the New York City Law Department, working with the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT), filed a lawsuit in keeping with the City's commitment to protecting defend tenants' rights against unlawful harassment, especially amid the pandemic and as the city continues to address housing insecurity.

The New York State Office of the Attorney General, in coordination with the City, also continues to investigate the defendants' actions and any harmful impact on their tenants.