Security Guards Hired to Follow Tenants

Facts: Tenants of large apartment building converted to condominium ownership sued landlord and its security guards, claiming that landlord was harassing them. Tenants claimed, among other things, that landlord interfered with their right to operate a tenants' association, hired security guards to follow them around, and assaulted them. Landlord claimed that tenants were interfering with asbestos in the building and creating dangerous conditions, and that surveillance was necessary. Landlord asked the court to dismiss tenants' claims without a trial. Court: Landlord wins in part. There was no reason for tenants' first two claims. But a trial was needed to determine the facts as to whether the security guards harassed tenants.

Ansonia Tenants' Coalition, Inc. v. Ansonia Surveillance Agents: NYLJ, p. 24, col. 5 (12/23/98) (Sup. Ct. NY; Miller, J)