Illegal multi-family rooming house contained 34 occupants

Photo shows part of the interior of the illegal multi-family rooming house at 347 North Sunrise Highway Service Road in Manorville.

Farmingville, NY – Supervisor Mark Lesko and Councilman Dan Panico have announced a Quality of Life Task Force action that occurred on Wednesday, October 5 at 347 North Sunrise Highway Service Road in Manorville. Working on a Brookhaven resident’s complaint, the Quality of Life Task Force investigators found the dwelling to be a non-owner occupied, illegal multi-family rooming house with at least 34 occupants.

“This is one of the worst examples of an illegal multi-family house that I have ever seen,” said Supervisor Lesko. “The owner was in blatant violation of our Town codes and placed the health and safety of the occupants at risk. I thank the resident who lodged the complaint and urge everyone to report any illegal activity that they see. The Quality of Life Task Force does a great job in helping to rid our neighborhoods of illegal multi-family houses and they will continue to aggressively prosecute those who violate our codes.”

"Since taking office I have made it a priority to crack down on illegal boarding homes like this one in Manorville," commented Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico. "Here is another example of real action to combat the housing problems of our Town, which if left unchecked will spread like cancer through a community. Out of town owners and those who have a flagrant disregard for the community should realize that the old ways of the past will no longer be tolerated. I have dedicated myself to cleaning up this district and maintaining the peaceful quality of life that we all deserve. Homes like this not only exploit the community at large, but also the people who reside within them. The fines will be stiff and the action will be swift."

The property owner, who resides in Smithtown, cooperated with investigators and allowed access to the dwelling. Investigators found the house to contain two separate two-bedroom basement apartments with nine occupants and an illegal garage conversion with eight occupants living inside. The rest of this single story ranch house was set up like a rooming house with 17 more occupants living in multiple bedrooms. In addition, the property contained two unregistered vehicles and some litter as well as an in-ground pool that was unfenced, but was protected by a loop lock cover. The residence also was missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Quality of Life Task Force investigators will issue at least 15 appearance tickets to the owner for violations including altering a structure to an illegal multi-family, no building permit and no smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. A court date has been set for December 8, 2011.

Supervisor Lesko established the Quality of Life Task Force to aggressively enforce the Town code, eliminate blight in neighborhoods, shutdown suburban slumlords, and prosecute serial offenders. Between 2008 and 2010, fines levied on code enforcement violations increased by 255%.

If residents believe that a property is in violation of any Town of Brookhaven codes, they can call 451-TOWN to file a complaint.

Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6595 • Fax (631) 451-6258