Daniel Ohebshalom, a well-known negligent landlord in New York City, was recently hospitalized after an attack at Rikers Island. Ohebshalom turned himself in to police for allegedly failing to perform court-ordered repairs on some Manhattan properties he owns and was expected to serve up to 60 days at Rikers. He was reportedly assaulted at the intake area of the Eric M. Taylor Center and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including possible facial bone fractures.
Following years of trying to hold Ohebshalom accountable for violations in two buildings in Washington Heights, the city issued a warrant for his arrest. Ohebshalom and his company, Belmont Ventures LLC, were accused of accumulating 700 serious violations affecting the health and safety of residents. Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrion Jr. announced that Ohebshalom was facing $3 million in fines and penalties and would be incarcerated for 60 days. Tenants in the buildings have long complained about living conditions, such as rats, roaches, lack of heat and hot water, and delays in repairs.
The deteriorating living conditions in Ohebshalom’s buildings have led to repeated intervention by city authorities, including previous fines and emergency repairs. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development made nearly $50,000 worth of emergency repairs in early 2023 to address the ongoing issues in the buildings. Ohebshalom’s properties are well-known for appearing on the city’s list of worst landlords due to problems such as mold, leaks, pests, lead paint, and other hazards that endanger residents, particularly children and seniors.
Despite the attack on Ohebshalom at Rikers Island, sources do not believe that he was specifically targeted by the assailant. The incident occurred in the intake area of the correctional facility, and Ohebshalom was reportedly among several individuals who faced threats from the attacker. The injuries sustained by Ohebshalom were deemed non-life-threatening, and he was returned to Rikers following medical treatment. The assault adds another layer of controversy to Ohebshalom’s troubled history as a landlord in New York City.
The arrest warrant issued against Ohebshalom marks a significant escalation in the city’s efforts to hold him accountable for the violations in his properties. The decision to pursue legal action against Ohebshalom came after years of attempts to address the substandard living conditions faced by tenants in his buildings. City officials and residents alike have welcomed the news of Ohebshalom’s arrest and incarceration, viewing it as a long-overdue measure to address the persistent issues that have plagued the properties for years.
In response to the arrest warrant and Ohebshalom’s incarceration, tenant advocates and city officials have called for stronger enforcement measures against negligent landlords. The case of Ohebshalom highlights the urgent need to protect residents from unscrupulous landlords who neglect their properties and endanger the health and safety of tenants. The city’s actions against Ohebshalom send a clear message that landlords who fail to maintain safe and habitable living conditions will face consequences for their negligence, and that tenants’ rights to decent housing will be upheld and defended.
