Brooklyn homeowners suing city for second time over a $400K bill
The homeowners say that a man was living in the outside garage illegally and refused to leave in 2019.
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The property owners of 3506 and 3504 Neptune avenues said they received a $400,000 bill from the city’s Department of Finance.
It's a bill they don’t believe they are responsible for.
The homeowners say that a man was living in the outside garage illegally and refused to leave in 2019.
“He took over the property and then he rented those properties,” said owner Mohammad Choudhary. “As a matter of fact, he made these properties a rooming home and started collecting rent.”
To make matters worse, the pandemic came shortly after, and Choudhary was stuck overseas with no access then – and even after he finally returned.
“I went to my precinct,” said Choudhary. “I went to the DA’s office. I went to DOB, but nobody helped me.”
Until two years later, when the issue was publicized with the media. After the city removed the squatters from the properties, Choudary and his partner spent thousands on new renovations and got new tenants.
As much time as that took, it almost feels they are back to square one.
“$200,000 for relocation charges, and almost $200,000 for water and sewage and taxes,” he said.
That's what the city says he owes by the end of May. Otherwise, the DOF may sell a lien on the property.
The same fees that were waived in court back in 2022 when a judge said he was not responsible for the issues created by squatters.
“If the relocations were due to my mistake,” said Choudhary. “Let's say I have converted these properties into illegal ones, like the basements and stuff like that, then I can understand. But this is beyond my control, and the city knew about that. So they should not penalize me."
In a statement from the city’s HPD office, News 12 was told that there are a wide range of protections provided to New Yorkers displaced from where they live, which the city is committed to uphold.
However, with Choudary suing again, it won’t comment any further.
