136 West 136 Street,

Manhattan, NY 10030

We lived in this building a few years ago, and when we went to see it it looked really nice and had amenities. It was all a joke. We were told they were delayed in the process of getting the C of O from the DOB and the gas would be turned on in a few months. They offered a discount and electric burner in the interim. We reluctantly agreed.

Cut to two and a half years later and no gas. They were always “just about to have it on” - then the DOB showed up at the door one day to warm the tenants that the building was an illegal dwelling and we could be removed within 24 hours at any point. When we looked into it the DOB said they had no record of an application for a C of O. We went the legal route of legally withholding rent with an attorney until they could prove that the building was legal and they threatened to ruin our rental reputation as tenants. Then they took us to court. We ended up having to leave mid lease, and as far as I know they never received the C of O. But they did find someone to show up and turn on the gas. We overheard the super discussing with the person that they were doing it illegally. The owners are actually criminals. They’re the Jamal family from the fraudulent company “nobody beats the wiz.” Look them up. Straight criminals. They own a lot of buildings in Harlem and another friend accidentally rented from them before realizing who they were and had a similarly exploitative experience where they refused to show the apartment when she gave the proper notice and then tried to double dip and charge her rent while it was already rented by them, and they didn’t disclose it. Avoid at all costs. No nice looking apartment is worth dealing with them. They should be on the list of slumlord owners that shouldn’t be allowed to buy any more buildings.

You are criminals and should not be allowed to own buildings or collect rent from people, and I hope that enough people eventually know about you so they steer clear of renting from you.