'There are always repairs.' Bronx landlord voices support for proposed rent increases

Building owner Michael Laub believes the range of increase proposed by the New York City Rent Guidelines Board will help need to properly maintain buildings and provide upgrades to their properties.

Carmen Grant and Rob Taub

May 10, 2023, 9:15 PM

Updated 512 days ago

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A Bronx landlord says he is in favor of the proposed rent increases expected to come across the city.
Building owner Michael Laub told News 12 he believes the range of increase proposed by the New York City Rent Guidelines Board will help need to properly maintain buildings and provide upgrades to their properties.
“There are always repairs,” he said. “When you own a building, whether it's changing a faucet, redoing a bathroom, fixing a roof, repairing a roof, all of these happen every day.”
Laub, who owns about 1,500 apartments in the Bronx, says skyrocketing property expenses and rent collection are the main challenges landlords face, which can make it difficult for some to financially break even. Laub also says sometimes it could take more than a year to remove a tenant for nonpayment.
“Most landlords are good, despite the picture they paint," added Laub. "And most tenants are good, and we try to give them a good place to live, but without having an income you can't provide that."
Laub has helped provide shelter over the past 50 years to generations of families in need of a home.