T
he New York City Department of Buildings issued $1.487 million in fines to seven properties in October for illegal alterations, including single-room occupancies that have been largely banned in the city for decades. The agency also revoked the certification privileges of a longtime architect, Paul Freitas, after an audit found "major code non-compliances" and other violations.

    The fines were levied under a law that provides penalties of $15,000 per illicit unit plus $1,000 for each day of noncompliance, up to $45,000. Some of the fines were well into the six figures, including $546,250 for a Texas-based bank at 212 Lefferts Place and $373,750 for an owner at 15 Aberdeen Street in Bushwick.

    Inspectors found safety issues at several properties, including a missing means of egress at 212 Lefferts Place and no class J fire alarm system. The previous owner had surrendered the property to his lender in 2019, while the current owner bought it from the lender for $10 just 15 days later. Other properties hit with fines included a three-family dwelling in Elmhurst that was supposed to be a one-family home, and a two-family in the Bronx that was converted into a five-family residence.

    Freitas, who has over 25 years of experience and teaches at Parsons School of Design, managed more than $500 million worth of construction projects before surrendering his certification. The Department of Buildings' enforcement actions are part of an ongoing effort to crack down on illegal conversions in the city, which have been a persistent problem despite fines and penalties.