A building in New York City was sold last year, but the process was made more difficult because people were still living there. Now, one tenant refuses to move out of the rental because he loves it and does not want to leave. The new landlord is allegedly trying to force him out by using sly tactics like conducting unnecessary construction and installing extremely loud fans near his door.
Ahmet Nejat Ozsu, 51 (pictured below), rented a small 700-square-foot apartment on the Upper West Side sixteen years ago. Even though it’s tiny, he pays $3350 monthly. His rental includes access to a private deck situated on the top floor; however, rent has not been paid for some time now, and Ahmet allegedly owes around $13000 in back rent payments.
In June 2021, the Naftali Group bought the building for an astonishing $70 million. At that point, the new landlords demanded all tenants move out immediately and look for other living arrangements.
If the real estate gurus are to be believed, the new owners intend to demolish the building and put up a brand-new luxury tower with only eleven units, which would all go for around $40 million. The existing structure has 128 units that are significantly less grand than what the developer has in mind.
Despite the new landlord’s demand that everyone move out and search for a new residence, Ozsu still resides in one of sixteen units that are presently occupied. According to his attorney, Ozsu thinks he is on a personal “crusade” to keep his rental.
In addition, Ozsu is seeking a one-million-dollar payment to leave his present house and locate another residence. To compound the insult, he was jobless from October 2021 through March 2022 and needed time to save money in order for him to relocate to Manhattan’s pricey island.
Naftali then sued Ozsu, asking for $25,000,000 in damages. They even offered the resistant renter $30,000 to leave and find another place to stay.
The attorney for ‘Ozsu,’ Adam Leitman Bailey, has stated that the firm is “bullying” his client to hurry up the relocation process.
“His view is now that he’s standing up for all New Yorkers who couldn’t afford a high-priced lawyer,” Bailey stated. ‘And he’s going to stay there for as long as he’s legally allowed to be there, number one.”
Nevertheless, the new landlords are bothering Ozsu in an attempt to get him to move out. Their latest tactic is a loud air filter outside of his door.
“It sounds like a jet,” Ozsu said. “It feels like it’s at the back of your head all the time.”
