Gotham City Declared 2025’s Worst Landlord
Gotham City has reportedly set a troubling record, being identified as having the most landlord violations on file, according to a recent report by Public Defender Jumaane Williams.
Margaret Brann, the president of A&E Real Estate Holdings—a prominent landlord in New York City—was cited for an astonishing 4,872 unresolved violations reported to the Housing Preservation and Development Authority from November 2024 to October 2025, across 24 of her properties.
“The pressing issues, crumbling buildings, and landlords prioritizing profits over the well-being of tenants on the Worst Landlord Watch List illustrate the struggles many New Yorkers face in their homes,” Williams stated.
“Our two worst offenders have eclipsed all previous violators recorded and both are from the same company, which is especially alarming.”
Williams mentioned that the other landlords in this year’s rankings surpassed former top violators, and notably, both current top violators work under the same corporation.
Donald Hastings, the asset manager for the company, boasts of 3,899 outstanding violations across 36 managed properties. Together, Williams noted, they oversee 60 buildings located in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, averaging around 9,000 violations.
Mayor Zoran Mamdani announced a significant civil penalty—$2.1 million—against A&E Real Estate Holdings last week. This settlement aims to tackle tenant harassment and unsafe living conditions across 14 of their buildings.
The agreement requires A&E to rectify over 4,000 construction violations throughout their properties and prevents future harassment of tenants.
“Every tenant in New York City deserves a safe and habitable living space,” said Mamdani. “Our administration is committed to ensuring that.”
“This settlement will ensure accountability and address the issues faced by tenants who have endured such poor living conditions for far too long.”
Williams highlighted that city documents reveal some corporate entities employing separate LLCs or different corporate officers—like Brann and Hastings—to escape accountability.
Notably, the allegations against Brann and Hastings include severe rodent and cockroach infestations, malfunctioning doors, and unsafe fire escapes.
This week, volunteers have been visiting A&E-owned buildings to communicate with tenants, assist in organizing their efforts, advocate for essential repairs, and encourage attendance at “rental rip-off” hearings led by the Mamdani administration.
Other landlords on the annual disgrace list include Barry Singer (2,885 violations), Joseph Cafiero (2,871 violations), and Peter Fine (2,206 violations).
Daniel Ohevshalom, who was tied for the worst landlord in 2022 and 2023, has been imprisoned on two occasions due to neglecting necessary repairs.
Williams commented on the new Mamdani administration’s heightened focus on imposing landlord responsibilities, including the revival of the Mayor’s Office for Tenant Protection, now under advocate Shea Weaver’s leadership.
He added that achieving lasting improvements in the housing sector hinges on reinstating previously cut positions in the Department of Public Health and the Department of Buildings.
“It’s encouraging to see the potential for change as the government commits to housing justice and tenant support, utilizing all resources to facilitate this,” Williams remarked. “With the city’s assets and the collective strength of tenants dissatisfied with inadequate living conditions and rising rents, we can transform not just our buildings but the entire system that has led to this housing crisis.”
