Newark files first 'bad landlord' lawsuit, accuses management company of illegal rent hikes

The City of Newark announced that it is going after bad landlords.

The city filed it's first complaint against NJ Best Management. They are a limited liability company that owns, operates, and controls a multi-unit residential property.

Mayor Ras Baraka released a statement on the lawsuit that said in part, that the company "exploits its renters, puts their health, safety and welfare at risk, and defies rent control, maintenance, housing, health and safety requirements codified in our city ordinances."

The city claims it has offered to work with the company on inspections and to come up with a plan for repairs.

They say instead of taking them up on their offer, the management company just raised the rent illegally, in some cases more than 5%.

Mayor Baraka said that his "Bad Landlord List" Executive Order will help hold the non-compliant landlords in the city accountable.

"Today's announced action joins our continuous efforts to develop and wield every tool available to protect the safety and wellbeing of renters, and deliver justice to greedy, irresponsible landlords who don't," Baraka said in the statement.