Here Are NYC's Worst Landlords In 2025, Public Advocate Says

NEW YORK CITY — New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams released his annual "100 Worst Landlords in NYC" list on Wednesday, exposing landlords with most violations in 2025.

"Each hazardous violation on the Worst Landlord Watchlist, each building in disrepair, each landlord putting profit over people, represents New Yorkers suffering in their homes," Williams said.

"Our top two worst landlords have more violations than anyone in the list’s history and both represent the same company taking advantage of tenants across the city."

Margaret Brunn and Donald Hastings, are both associated with the same company — A&E Real Estate Holdings. Together, they account for 60 buildings and an average of nearly 9,000 open violations, Williams said.

Last week, The city won a settlement against A&E Real Estate Holdings, requiring them to pay $2.1 million to correct violations at an Upper West Side building.

"This list is most powerful when used for organizing, and I’m hitting the streets with hundreds of tenants to give New Yorkers the tools they need to take action," Williams added. "With an administration committed to housing justice, tenant support, and using all the tools available to deliver, I’m invigorated by the change we can create."

Here Are The Top 10 Worst Landlords in New York City

1. Margaret Brunn - 4,872 HPD violations across 24 buildings

2. Donald Hastings - 3,889 HPD violations across 36 buildings

3. Barry Singer - 2,885 HPD violations across 15 buildings

4. Joseph Cafiero - 2,871 HPD violations across 19 buildings

5. Peter Fine - 2,206 HPD violations across 7 buildings

6. Robyn Lucas - 2,101 HPD violations across 14 buildings

7. Yonatan Bahumi - 1,801 HPD violations across 34 buildings

8. Claudette Henry - 1,738 HPD violations across 25 buildings

9. Joseph Pistilli - 1,656 HPD violations across 8 buildings

10. David Tennenbaum - 1,549 HPD violations across 14 buildings

You can read the full Worst Landlord Watchlist here.