Williamsburg family says apartment temps dropped into the 30s inside 'luxury' high-rise
Shauna Scott says she pays about $500 a month to Con Edison and over $4,000 in rent, yet the heat in her unit remains far below the legal minimum or what's displayed on their thermostat.
More Stories
A Williamsburg family says they’ve been living in extremely cold conditions made worse by the recent storm and cold snap, with temperatures inside their apartment dropping into the 30s in some rooms, despite city heating requirements.
Shauna Scott, who lives at 159 Boerum St., told News 12 her family has been without a working shower since Friday and is dealing with frozen pipes, floors too cold to stand on without shoes and a bathroom that feels like the outdoors.
News 12 cameras went to the building with a device that measured temperature, and it detected the floors and shower in the low 30s. Shauna said the building's management attributed the colder temperatures to her unit being located above the building's garage.
Scott says she pays about $500 a month to Con Edison and over $4,000 in rent, yet the heat in her unit remains far below the legal minimum or what's displayed on their thermostat.
New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development requires landlords to keep apartments at 68 degrees during the day when outdoor temperatures fall below 55 degrees.
“It feels like we are outside,” Scott said. “I am shaking, that’s how frustrated I am.”
Her 9‑year‑old son, Daniel, has been sleeping in multiple layers to stay warm.
“I get cold. I have to sleep in two socks and all the layers and a scarf” he said.
Management for the building told the family the issue is “common for new buildings,” according to an email shared with News 12. But HPD says temperatures in the 30s and 40s constitute a heat violation, though so far none has been issued.
After News 12 contacted HPD, the agency said it is sending a new inspector to the property, despite having previously closed an earlier complaint.
The family says they’re hoping the renewed inspection will finally bring heat back to their home.
News 12 also reached out to the property owners, MGT Management, but has not received a response.
