Inverted Pyramid Article

9/3/2011, Bushwick, NY- Tenant threatens legal action against landlord this Thursday for extensive mold damage and repeated flooding. After massive flooding in the wake of Hurricane Irene, Brooklyn resident Yale Davison is now demanding his landlord, Harry Klein, compensation for damages regarding mold growth and insulation damage in the basement of his apartment, going so far as to threaten legal recourse in response to Mr. Klein’s lack of action. Mr. Davison is also claiming that the flooding began prior to the hurricane, as far back as September of last year. The flooding and mold not only appear to be a structural threat but a serious health hazard as well. “This has been a reoccurring issue since we moved in last summer,” states Mr. Davison, “There’s been mold growing in that room since July and it’s made it completely uninhabitable”. Mr. Klein’s response claimed he had never been made aware of the situation before. In an email reply to Mr. Davison, Mr. Klein said, “Let’s take some facts into perspective, as far as I know the mold has only begun after the hurricane last weekend. Nobody complained about a mold issue prior to that date and I myself have been in that room a couple times and never noticed a thing.”

This however, according to Mr. Davison’s lawyer, is untrue. Providing legal advice for Mr. Davison is Garry Haber, a realty lawyer, who claims that Mr. Klein’s claims are false and that his client possesses sufficient evidence against Mr. Klein’s account. With photographs and dated correspondences in tow Mr. Haber contacted Mr. Klein in order to engage in a dialogue regarding the flooding. This meeting however was cut short with both parties unable to reach a compromise. “Did he not see the pictures? Did he not read the emails? I can’t believe he’s actually denying this,” stated Mr. Haber moments after the meeting. “He’s (Mr. Davison) only demanding compensation for the damaged property and threat the mold poses to his personal health. Mr. Klein needs to realize this and make things right”.

Nevertheless the issue continues to persist. With mold spreading throughout the room, the most apparent indication of its presence is the smell. “I can’t breathe after I step in that room, I went in there a couple times earlier to take photos of the damages and when I came out I felt sick and I just recovered from a bronchial infection that was caused by mold in my old apartment” states Mr. Davison, “It’s just something I want resolved and compensated for”.

Repairs are set to begin this weekend and both the tenant and landlord seem eager to put the dispute behind them. “I’ve fixed everything he’s asked me to fix, of course the mold will be dealt with but what he’s asking for in compensation is outrageous, he’s trying to swindle me” said Mr. Klein in response to allegations of falsehood. Mr. Davison continues to receive counsel from Mr. Haber and concluded his meeting by saying, “I’m not going to correspond by email anymore, and it’s counterproductive and pretty comical that he’s denying everything even though I have proof”. The issue continues to be a point of contention and remains unresolved.