Photo by David Greene
Just days before Christmas, some 15 families renting apartments in one Norwood residential building received a letter from One Vesta Property Management, on behalf of the new landlord, advising them they had to move out on or before Mar. 31, 2021, as their apartments are being sold.
According to Real Estate Weekly, the impacted rental cooperative apartments, located at 3245 Perry Avenue in Norwood, are among 255 units located in nine different buildings in the Bronx and Manhattan, which were purchased in November 2020 as part of a $23 million deal by Glacier Equities, a real estate investment firm led by Myles Horn. Alex Horn is a partner at the firm.
The other Bronx-based buildings are located in Bedford Park, Concourse, Fordham/University Heights and Spuyten Duyvil, while two others are based in the Inwood section of Manhattan. A two-bedroom apartment at Perry Avenue currently rents for $1,300.
Joseph Conzo, Jr., a recently retired FDNY EMT and former vice president of the FDNY union, lives at the Perry Avenue building and had just finished a round of chemotherapy for a 9/11-related pancreatic and liver cancer days before he received the unofficial letter of eviction.
In the letter dated Dec. 1, but postmarked Dec. 21, tenants were told, “Please be advised that your lease agreement expires on 1/31/21. We are writing to inform you that BRX Perry Apartments, LLC will not be continuing your tenancy, and this will serve as a 90-day notice to vacate.” The letter was signed by Michael Lago on behalf of the property manager.
Multiple attempts by Norwood News to reach both Horn and Lago in an effort to clarify the exact relationship between Glacier Equities and BRX Perry Apartments LLC proved unsuccessful.
Standing outside his home on Sunday, Jan. 17, Conzo told the Norwood News, “My family has been living here since 1985. At one point, we had [rented] four apartments in this building.” He went on to describe the local neighborhood of Norwood as “phenomenal.” Conzo added, “To get a letter two days before Christmas saying that your lease is not going to be renewed, you have 90 days to vacate, was shocking.. shocking news.”
Conzo confirmed that he, personally, has been renting two apartments in the 41-unit building for the last 24 years. Describing the warm and friendly bond that exists among the building’s residents, he said they would often knock on each other’s doors and gather in the lobby during the holidays to put up festive lights and ornaments.
Photo by David Greene
“It’s hard. It’s frustrating. It’s stressful,” Conzo said, confirming he has written to most if not all local, Bronx elected officials on the matter. In reference to former Councilman Andrew Cohen’s recently vacated seat, Conzo said he had not followed up with City Council Speaker, Corey Johnson, who is overseeing Cohen’s former constituency office until such time as a replacement is found.
Cohen resigned on Dec. 31, before the end of his final term, which would normally have ended in June, to take up a judicial position on the Supreme Court based in the Bronx.
On the advice of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who represents the 81st Assembly District, residents of the Perry Avenue building are now working with the West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center, which provides eviction prevention assistance, mediation, and housing preservation services in the western Bronx, and a complaint has been filed with the New York State Attorney General, Letitia James.
Conzo recalled once praising Alex Horn who, in 2018, donated an apartment to the family of slain NYPD officer, Miosotis Familia. Conzo now says, “He will not be remembered for that. He will be remembered for kicking people out during a pandemic.”
In a 2013 feature article, Miles Horn told The New York Times how he first got into real estate, saying, “I bought my apartment for $37,500. It was a one-bedroom overlooking Central Park. I sold it a few weeks later for a lot more money. It didn’t take much for a light bulb to go off, for me to figure out a way to make money.”
Back at Perry Avenue, a worker was spotted exiting the building on Jan. 16, having completed a day’s renovations and repairs on an already vacated apartment.
The new landlord sent a follow-up letter to tenants in the new year, apologizing for the prior “untimely letter” sent before the holidays. In it, tenants were informed that the landlord would try to work with each individual family to reach a satisfactory arrangement for both parties, but they were also informed of the landlord’s intention to eventually sell the impacted apartments.
Norwood News has reached out to Bronx Community Board 7 to check if the matter was discussed at any of the previous committee meetings.
A special election to find a replacement City Council Member for District 11 was called by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Jan. 4 and will be take place on March 23.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
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Excellent article. I hope all local & all federal elected officials are contacted regarding these evictions and see every legal protection is afforded each & every one of these tenants. If not already done, all religious entities in the area need to be involved in seeing if and how legally these evictions can be overturned. Does this greedy landlord have any conscience, no shame or decency?
Hi “E”… Your very kind… we tried to ask the landlord who could not be reached and the property manager who was to busy to return several calls, but will continue to follow this story as it evolves. Thanks for your input!
You are very very rude to tell your tenant to get out, becareful how you treat people because the bible said becareful how you entertain . Angle on awareness . also you don’t have to happy New Year and get out becareful how you chuse your own words because the bible said whatsoever a man SOWETH that shall he also REAP if you sow good seed you shall REAP good seed. If you sow bad seed it will come back to you that way be careful you don’t need to be mean to some who might be struggling. Because you don’t get your payment for the rent many people are struggling just like you what makes you so high and mightyk
Hallelujah you certainly use the truth of God to make your point and to set matters straight God bless you you’re in my prayers and not pray that you will not before start of your home and that you will get the financial help that you need in Jesus Christ name amen
Predatory Equity Companies don’t care about tenants. All they see is investment opportunities in tenants’ apartment. Also, did Conzo receive a renewal lease between August 1st and November 30th? If so, then the new landlord must either honor that lease if Conzo is a DRIE tenant since he is disabled or Conzo is willing to buy the shares and convert to co-op owner. Finally, was a non-evicton co-op filed with AG? If so, the new landlord cannot evict any tenants in the building.
I as amazing who have giving my tenant a brand new apartment in Jersey City, with bed frame and dresser and I can go on and on with you. For him to work all this time and not pay his rent is unacceptable. Now I getting call from bank becuse I been over 9000 in debt because of his selfishness. Working , no mask since Covid 19 started when I have health issues.
In this case where is the help for Landlords like me. I honestly need him to leave because also something because he has a medical card in and out my home breaking when my lease says no smoking 🚭 this is disrespect. Especially when I can sleep worring of any stupid he might do because he is always angry.
At least he gave them a 90 day notice. I realize it’s a pandemic but you can’t gender people from making the best decisions for them. What about the landlords and their income? Did anybody stop to think how the pandemic is killing them? Nope! They’re just thinking of FREE rent at the cost of landlords.
Maybe the new buyer is going to convert them into units for sale instead of renting? We really do not know the entire story. I can’t blame a landlord for wanting to get out of the rental business. This eviction ban is not fair to property owners.
I didn’t read that they were being evicted. There current rental agreement was not being renewed. They ll only be evicted if they refuse to move out.
It is not there property and they have to comply with the terms of the lease and relocate it is very simple. When they moved in to the space they knew that they were not purchasing the space. Private property owners should have the rights to THEIR OWN PROPERTY TO SELL OR RENT AS THEY DESIDE
You, are living free off of someone’s dime.
Your problem, is not with the landlord, it’s with the federal government & the Governor of New York. Both of them took, someone property and give it to you and others without compensation. That’s wrong and soon your rent balance will be so large, you will surely face Eviction. Then we will see what your government does for you.
Because your landlord has done enough.
James Horn part of The Horn Family? Nobody is living off the government here! These are tenants of all race and creed essential workers paying their Rent! Shame on your Family iy to try and intimidate hard working family with vacate notices because you want to make a dime during a Pandemic. Try for a moment and put you and your family in our shoes.
I know the feeling I too exact same thing except I’m homebound ed ridden oxygen CPACT with bypass walker advance lung disease asthma HIGH RISK THEY LOCKED ME OUT 12-29 IPAID still put out on the street SACRAMENTO CA
Considering this man was a civil servant and will now be receiving a fat NYFD pension, he should have savings and income sufficient to move. I don’t feel sorry for him.
What kind of sick individual are you he has cancer and he sacrifice his life to save others during 9 11. If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything a..h..e.
Sergio, do you actually read the news regularly? If you do, then you would know that FDNY EMS pensions are anything but “fat.” EMT top pay after 5 years is a fraction of that which is paid to firefighters, police and sanitation. Plus Joe also paid this City a huge service with his dedication to enhancing quality of life for the citizens and visitors, resulting from his many years of dedicated service. Resulting in him developing cancer from the attack on the Trade Center. And in the middle of a pandemic, you have no compassion Sergio? Very sad, very sad indeed.
Thank you Tom!
The tenant has more rights than the LL, Does this mean that they have to keep them there forever. NO! Giving a 30 day written notice still keeps them there especially during COVID and even before COVID. I know plenty of LL’s who are good and I know more tenants that are disgustingly 🤮 dirty. But you need to leave. 🤨
You sir are a jerk…keep your comments to your self…if you have nothing positive to say shut the F@ck up…
Many tenants not affected by covid are taking advantage thanks to this stupid non-eviction law. NY state still collects property taxes and many times refuses to paid extra unemployment benefits unless is paid by federal money however, they encourage tenants not to pay rent at landlord’s expennse
Why you counting other people 💰? You know the persons circumstance? Where is available AFFORDABLE housing in NYC? 🙄
Exactly what I was thinking!
I’m in Caligula. I have a relative who moved into my vacant rental home. He has done a lot of improvements on the home, however we had no agreement vit him to move in snd hr won’t pay rent. I have tried for over a month th to reach out commu, he replied bold while talking yo his girl friend I the back k I hra, “ o am. It paying rent all this work to make this home look better, my sister is co Adair’s of me.
Hi Sergio
I retired after 25 years as an FDNY/EMS EMT top salary of 58,000. So my pension is half of that. If you think that is a fat pension WOW! No pity required here! It’s the career I chose to serve others saving lives as an EMT. You missed the whole point of the article. May you never require the services of an FDNYEMS. Peace and be safe during this Pandemic while EMTs and Paramedics are out there on the front lines.
Good afternoon i don’t appreciate how landlord treats their tenants their can be mean to their tenants, all because the tenants is on able to paid rent . Yes time is hard for everyone, i would like to think their understand that we all face uncertainty is not our fault that the corona virus stopped us from paying our rent. Thing’s happened in life. You must understand know one knows what can happen. This is a storm it will passed but you have faith in Jesus. And treats people with respect . You must also give charity how about helping someone else instead of always receiving why not say i will help you , time is hard every one is struggling right now. You should be about charity, helping someone other than yourself, always won’t rent money. It is good to see yourself in someone else’s shoes or situation. I am a believer in Jesus i am not saying you’re not a believer. Please turned your Bible to Ecclesiastes chapter 3 where the bible talked about there’s a time for every purpose under the heaven. Please read the whole chapter and i hopped you understand why it’s important to know why we go through life’s this way know one causes this to happen . It’s not the tenants faulted that their can’t afford to pay their rent. I myself faced the same situation but i know that the Lord will make away for everyone who faced this struggle that i faced. God will bring us through this storm that we all faces. If you just hanging in there please don’t be quick to throw someone on the street. Please put your trust in God and asked him to help you , and please let him helped you . We all needs the Lord to carry us through life’s journey, it’s not always going to be easy, only sometimes up and sometimes down, but you must have faith in Jesus.
so what follow? supermarkets and restaurants push to give food for free? working people giving our salaries to free ride abusive tenants? are you NUTS!
What is meant by “selling the apartments?’ Has there been a co op conversion? Aren’t these tenants protected under Rent Stabilization Laws? Would not the current moratorium on evictions apply?
Everybody is thinking about THE FREE RENT! WHAT ABOUT THE LANDLORDS? The tenant’s don’t own the building and the Landlord had to make the best decision which was SALE. plus I’m assuming they’re not requiring them to pay rent during this 90 day period? So they should have enough money to relocate!
I didn’t read that they were being evicted. There current rental agreement was not being renewed. They ll only be evicted if they refuse to move out.
I read it to mean the current landlord was selling the whole apartment complex and part of the sale is that the new landlord wants the apartments empty.
Sometimes it s better not to keep the old tenants. As a landlord you want to vet your own tenants.
Plus this will be an opportunity to repair and clean the place
Let this be a reminder to break the cycle of generational poverty and build your assets so we have something to leave our children other than debt and rent. Sadly it’s buy or be bought. No one is coming to save us and we have to stop relying on the government. Move accordingly. Wait till people find out their pension isn’t guaranteed!
I read it to mean the current landlord was selling the whole apartment complex and part of the sale is that the new landlord wants the apartments empty.
Sometimes it s better not to keep the old tenants. As a landlord you want to vet your own tenants.
Plus this will be an opportunity to repair and clean the place
In reply to meep – I completely agree with you but I m sure quite a few won’t.
SCROOGE IS REAL, FOLKS!!!
So, you’re supposed to find an AFFORDABLE place to live in NYC in the dead of WINTER and a PANDEMIC in 90 DAYS? How is this even possible? Seriouly. 🤔
Back in 2013 Miles Horn claims to have bought an apartment overlooking Central Park for $37,500…the cost of an average new SUV…and this is where I claim shenanigans, no way did he pay less than 500k for anything overlooking Central Park besides a corner view.
Great news. Tenants need to understand its business its not free shelter. Try ro get something free from wallmart worth a penny to see where you will end at . Prison
Is this why a bunch of nyers are moving out? I see them all over Dayton ohio
This is so sad to hear. A lot of tenants being evicted, for non-payment of rent or being slapped with unlawful detainers, which can go on a housing record. This makes it more difficult to find any housing. Hopefully these tenants can get socially funded help to find a home.
Hello Everyone tenants and Landlords
This fine story is about the disadvantages and advantages of many. I just like the rest of the tenants at 3245 Perry Ave have payed our rent and not use any excuse not to pay. So I am sympathetic to Landlords and Tenants doing the right things during these hard times, this story was written to show the callous of others during these hards, nothing more nothing less! I just like others have served my country and city and want nothing more than to enjoy the fruits of my labor in retirement. Don’t need no hand outs cause my parents taught me at a young age to work hard and treat people as humans. But I’ll be dammed to have some greedy multi millionaire come into my neighborhood and rip apart roots of a beautiful neighborhood to make a “buck” especially during a $&@& Pandemic!
I feel like the landlord are the one getting harassed are down and out of they don’t get paid they can’t pay any thing and then most of them will never see that money that is owed to them even if they go to court they’re paying there bills to keep lights on and then u had people that got money still was not trying to stay paying on there late fee
I world let them know if u not starting to pay on your late rent that’s owe no program u can people leaving these places a mess and the landlord got clean or up really the landlord gets it the worse
So if some one buys the property no one should day nothing they will have allot of work to do I feel for some of the landlord tenants to but the landlords gets our the worse u perpetual the tenants but what about the landlord not right be fair for both
James Horn part of The Horn Family? Nobody is living off the government here! These are tenants of all race and creed essential workers paying their Rent! Shame on your Family iy to try and intimidate hard working family with vacate notices because you want to make a dime during a Pandemic. Try for a moment and put you and your family in our shoes.
I’m in another of the affected buildings, but I own my apartment. The affected buildings, including 3245 Perry, are coops and the rental tenants occupy unsold sponsor apartments. Horn bought all the unsold units from the previous owner, who was the original coop sponsor but decided to leave the business. Horn plans to renovate and sell all the units he bought, and he’s been very upfront about that, at least to shareholders. In my building, almost all unsold units are free market rentals, and while it sucks, as we understood from the building’s lawyer, he has every right not to renew a free-market lease, and he did this to the majority of rental units here as well. I know the tenants in this building were given purchase offers when the coop converted, but I think that was years ago before I got here.