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April 23, 2007

Inspectors Continue Township-wide Property Inspections to Locate Illegal Boarding Homes, Apartments & Multi-Family Dwellings

Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac today a nnounced that the ongoing inspection program targeting illegal housing throughout Woodbridge Township has uncovered an unregistered day-care center and three illegal boarding homes in Avenel, Woodbridge and Hopelawn.

“Illegal and overcrowded housing throughout Woodbridge Township remains a priority for Township inspectors. Recent inspections uncovered an unlicensed day-care facility and three illegal boarding homes in Woodbridge, Avenel and Hopelawn. These illegal boarding homes presented some of the worst overcrowding and potentially dangerous conditions yet uncovered by Township inspectors,” Mayor McCormac said. “Clearly, overcrowded housing and illegal boarding homes and apartments pose a real danger to public health and safety. The ‘midnight’ conversion of single-family properties into illegal boarding homes by absentee landlords will not be tolerated in Woodbridge Township.”

Mayor McCormac identified the three properties as 459-461 School Street in Woodbridge, 21 Burnet Street in Avenel, and 387 Herbert Street in Hopelawn. Township records identify the owner of 459-461 School Street and 21 Burnet Street as Lapmai Do – Township inspectors and the Woodbridge Police Department are continuing to investigate Do’s legal residence. The owner of 387 Herbert Street is identified as Bienias Urszula, a resident of Perth Amboy. The absentee property owners were issued multiple violation notices and are required to correct the illegal conditions and submit to re-inspection within five days. Additionally, the Township will file appropriate legal actions to close the properties and relocate, at landlord expense, the illegally-housed tenants.

459-461 School Street , Woodbridge – On April 12, Township inspectors conducted an ‘inside/outside’ inspection of 459-461 School Street which resulted in the issuance of violation notices charging the owner with operating an illegal daycare center, operating an illegal boarding home, maintaining illegal basement apartments, and failure to remove junk and debris. The inspection of 459-461 School Street, zoned as a two-family residence, uncovered an unlicensed, unregistered and illegal daycare operation on the first floor, seven locked bedrooms on the second floor, three bedrooms on the first floor, and two additional bedrooms in the basement. At least 12 individuals resided in the illegal boarding home.

21 Burnett Street , Avenel – On April 16, the owner of 21 Burnett Street, Avenel, was issued four violation notices charging the operation of an illegal boarding/rooming house, maintaining illegal basement apartments and failure to remove junk and debris and unregistered vehicles. The inspection uncovered three locked bedrooms and a kitchen on the second floor, three locked bedrooms and a kitchen on the first floor and two locked bedrooms in the basement housing at least seven tenants. Township inspectors had attempted on at least three prior occasions to inspect the property.

387 Herbert Street , Hopelawn – On April 17, Township inspectors issued a notice of violation to the owner of 387 Herbert Street charging the operation of an illegal boarding/rooming house and failure to install smoke detectors. The inspection uncovered six locked bedrooms, the conversion of the first floor living room into a separate bedroom, individual locks on every door, and at least five individuals living in the residence.

A notice of violation requires the property owner to provide a remediation plan to correct the alleged illegal condition, obtain any and all relevant permits, and bring the property into compliance with all Township ordinances and housing regulations. Should the property owner fail to comply with the violation notice, the Bureau of Housing will issue a summons and refer the case to Municipal Court, wherein potential financial penalties of up to $2,500 per violation could be assessed. Additionally, Township ordinance requires the property owner to provide for the costs and expenses necessary to relocate any tenants that are illegally housed in the property.

“The Municipal Council is working closely with Mayor McCormac and Township inspectors and will provide whatever resources necessary to continue to go after absentee landlords who illegally convert properties for their own financial gain,” said Councilwoman Patricia Osborne.

Mayor McCormac and Fourth Ward Councilman Jim Major said that the illegal housing program is starting to see positive results as previously cited property owners are bringing out-of-compliance properties into compliance with Township housing codes. Councilman Major noted that a positive example is the owner of an Iselin property located at 29 Adams Street previously cited for operating a non-permitted boarding/rooming home is now in compliance with Township regulations by registering the property as a single-family rental, installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers, and completing related repairs.

“I’d like to credit the diligence of Iselin residents who are concerned about the impact of improper housing in their neighborhood and business community,” Councilman Major said. “Every one benefits when property owners voluntarily comply with Township zoning requirements.”

Mayor McCormac said that illegal housing remains a significant issue throughout the Township and that inspectors will give priority to complaints reporting illegal housing, overcrowding, and unsafe conditions. Additionally, the Mayor has redirected resources to beef-up housing inspections, including hiring additional inspectors, installation of updated portable computers with direct access to municipal records to housing inspectors and staggering hours of inspection.

ownship residents are encouraged to report potential illegal housing and other housing-related activities to the Bureau of Housing at 732-634-4500 x6009. All complaints will be investigated and all information will remain confidential.

John R. Hagerty
Mayor’s Office of Communications
(732) 602-6039

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