Management Company Cited for Building Neglect

The management company for an apartment building on Monroe Boulevard was issued six summonses recently by city officials, after allegedly neglecting to repair Sandy damage.

At the top of their complaint list: nonfunctioning elevators in the seven-story complex:

"Since the hurricane it is very rare that both are working and much more likely that neither are working at all," tenant Andrew Meagher told Patch.

The situation also involved Long Beach firefighters being called to the building several times per week in order to help several elderly and physically limited individuals up to their apartments.

"Neglect is an absolute understatement for what we are currently experiencing," tenant Jamie Teich told Patch.

Last Friday, the city became involved, issuing six summonses over a four-day period for 'lacking a working elevator.' They met with tenants outside the building Wednesday night.

"The landlord has pled guilty to one summons in City Court, to which the management of 10 Monroe Blvd. paid a $200 fine," city officials released. "Each of the summonses issued by the Building Department imposes the full fine available of $250 per day when the building lacks a working elevator."

However, at the direction of the city council, the City of Long Beach will be increasing the fine to a far more consequential amount of up to $1,000 per day with a resolution item at Tuesday's meeting.

"No longer will it make sense for a landlord to simply pay the fine and ignore making repairs because the amount is simply too small to encourage compliance," a statement from the city read.

Additionally, the city is seeking a court order to compel compliance.

A representative from Samson Management did not immediately return Patch's request for comment. Samson owns and manages over 5,000 residential apartment units in all five boroughs of New York City, Westchester county, Nassau county and West Palm Beach, Fla.

As of Thursday afternoon, tenants reported construction crews renovating the lobby. Additionally, one of the elevators was functional throughout the day.