Gotham has crowned its “worst landlord” of 2025 – and she’s made history with the most violations of any landlord on record, according to a new report released Wednesday by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Margaret Brunn, president of massive New York City landlord A&E Real Estate Holdings, scored a record-setting 4,872 open violations with Housing Preservation & Development agency across her 24 buildings between November 2024 and October 2025, Williams said.

Gotham has crowned its “worst landlord” of 2025 – and she’s made history with the most violations of any landlord on record, according to a new report released Wednesday by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Stephen Yang for NY Post

“Each hazardous violation on the Worst Landlord Watchlist, each building in disrepair, each landlord putting profit over people, represents New Yorkers suffering in their homes,” Williams said in a Wednesday statement.

“Our top two worst landlords have more violations than anyone in the list’s history – and both represent the same company taking advantage of tenants across the city.”

The runner-up on the shameful list also surpassed any previous owner in the top spot, Williams said – and, for the first time, both landlords holding the top spots work for the same company.

Donald Hastings, the firm’s asset manager, touts 36 buildings with a total 3,899 open violations. Together, the duo reps 60 buildings across Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens with an average of 9,000 open violations, Williams said.

Last week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced $2.1 million in civil penalties against A&E Real Estate Holdings to address tenant harassment and hazardous conditions across 14 of its buildings. 

The settlement also forces A&E to fix more than 4,000 building violations across the buildings, plus mandates prohibiting tenant harassment in the future.

“Every tenant in New York City has a right to a safe and livable home and our administration is taking decisive action to deliver exactly that,” Mamdani said in a statement.

Last week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced $2.1 million in civil penalties against A&E Real Estate Holdings to address tenant harassment and hazardous conditions across 14 of its buildings.  James Messerschmidt for NY Post

“This settlement will bring real accountability and relief for the tenants of these buildings, who have been suffering from poor conditions and harassment for far too long.”

Williams noted neglectful corporate entities use different LLCs and head officers — like Brunn and Hastings on different A&E properties — in city records to “avoid accountability” altogether.

Graphic of the public advocate’s 2025 worst NYC landlords list based on open HPD violations. New York City Public Advocate

Some of the most vile allegations against Brunn and Hastings’ buildings include unresolved mice and roach infestations, defective doors and treacherous fire escapes.

The public advocate said volunteers this week are canvassing buildings owned by A&E — one of the city’s largest landlords — to speak with tenants. Volunteers will help them organize, fight for much-needed repairs and encourage them to attend the Mamdani administration’s upcoming “Rental Rip-Off” Hearings.

Other violators named to the annual shaming list include Barry Singer (2,885 violations), Joseph Cafiero (2,871 violations) and Peter Fine (2,206 violations).

Inside a decrepit Washington Heights apartment overseen by former ‘worst landlord’ chart-topper Daniel Ohebshalom. Obtained by the NY Post

The worst landlord from 2022 and 2023, Daniel Ohebshalom, was even jailed twice due to failure to make repairs.

Williams noted the new Mamdani administration has brought an “increased focus” on landlord accountability, including by re-establishing the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants led by advocate Cea Weaver.

The public advocate added that “long-term success” in improving the city’s housing conditions will require reversing cuts to DPH and Department of Buildings staffing.

“With an administration committed to housing justice, tenant support, and using all of the tools available to deliver, I’m invigorated by the change we can create,” Williams added. 

“With the resources of the city and the energy of tenants fed up with dangerous conditions and rising rents, we can overhaul not only buildings, but the entire system that has created this housing crisis.”