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NYC Worst Landlord Watchlist Puts A&E-Linked Owners in Top Two With Record Violations

The release underscores stepped-up enforcement following a $2.1 million city settlement with A&E.

Overview

  • Public Advocate Jumaane Williams named Margaret Brunn and Donald Hastings first and second on the 2025 list, both tied to A&E Real Estate and together linked to about 60 buildings with nearly 9,000 open HPD violations.
  • The Mamdani administration last week imposed $2.1 million in civil penalties on A&E across 14 buildings, requiring repairs to more than 4,000 violations and instituting anti-harassment measures.
  • The list was unveiled outside 80 Woodruff Ave. in Flatbush, a Brunn-owned building with 313 open violations and multiple failed rat inspections that was not covered by the recent settlement.
  • Tenant groups and the Public Advocate are canvassing A&E properties to organize residents, press for repairs, and encourage turnout for upcoming city “Rental Rip-Off” hearings.
  • A&E responded that it has invested over $800 million in its portfolio, closed roughly 230,000 work orders, and cleared more than 35,000 violations, asserting that building conditions have improved under its management.