'Didn't know we had a landlord' - fatal Queens house fire exposes squalor, violations

""The landlord did not pay attention to this house whatsoever. We didn't even know we had a landlord.""

""City records show dozens of violations at the property, some still open, and the owner faced lawsuits for unpaid penalties.""

""After Tan died, no one collected rent or made repairs. I spent thousands of dollars on repairs myself, including plumbing and heating.""

The Flushing building at 132-05 Avery Ave. was a neglected residence with severe safety issues, including blocked hallways and leaks. The city medical examiner ruled the deaths a homicide, with no arrests made. Tenants reported poor maintenance and overcrowding, with the building converted into multiple units despite numerous violations. The owner, Dechang Yee, faced lawsuits for unpaid penalties and had previously filed eviction cases against tenants. Residents described hazardous living conditions and claimed they had no landlord after the death of the building's manager.

Read at Gothamist