Some Bronx tenants say they haven’t had gas in their apartments for years, and are prepared to take matters into their own hands.
Tenants say that they have been without gas in their homes for a decade. According to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the building located at 333 East 150th St., has 190 housing code violations and 50 open 311 complaints.
Resident Jonathan Rincon says he has been a resident in this building for seven years and was promised before moving in that gas would be restored within six months.
He says he’s still currently forced to spend money on prepared foods and doesn’t have a working gas stove.
Angry residents say if gas is not restored by the end of the month, they will stop paying rent, starting on May 1. The tenants are calling on Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr. to take action.
Landlord Richardo Oquendo was appointed as temporary receivership of the property after the building was foreclosed. He provided News 12 with the following statement:
"When I assumed my Temporary Receiver role, I was shocked by the buildings extreme neglect and the conditions under which the tenants have been living for so many years... At this time, unfortunately, I cannot say how long it will be before Con Edison turns on the gas so that the tenants will finally have gas.. I have to speak with my contractor doing the work.. but it is my understanding that it may still be several months away."