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Brookhaven Town officials have announced “a major legal victory” against a corporate landlord they say has long plagued Mastic Beach with unsafe housing and widespread code violations.
The town reached a settlement with SARV Properties LLC and related entities, resulting in $103,500 in fines. The agreement follows enforcement actions involving 100 rental properties, which led to 196 summonses and 131 guilty pleas, town officials said.
“This settlement represents a turning point in how Brookhaven confronts negligent landlords,” said Brookhaven Supervisor Daniel Panico. “We are committed to breaking the business model of negligent landlords who exploit tenants and undermine our communities.
“The days of minimal fines and ignoring serious violations are over. Landlords must take responsibility for managing their properties safely and effectively.”
Panico was joined by Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig, other members of the Town Board and Town Clerk Kevin LaValle on Thursday to announce the settlement during a press conference.
Also present were local civic leaders and other town officials who played crucial roles in the effort.
“Soon after taking office in January 2024, it became clear that the town had to take decisive action against this landlord who had for far too long been creating serious quality of issues for the Mastic Beach community,” said Dunne Kesnig. “After receiving countless complaints on a weekly basis regarding the unsafe conditions in these houses, our law department devoted significant time and resources to remedying this situation.”
Town officials cited a range of violations, including unregistered rentals, illegal conversions into overcrowded rooming houses, un-permitted construction and neglect that threatened public safety.
Panico warned of the dangers posed by such illegal modifications during emergencies.
“When firefighters enter a smoke-filled home expecting a standard layout only to encounter hidden walls and altered floorplans, it endangers lives,” he said. “We cannot tolerate these reckless practices.”
As part of the settlement, SARV will also deed six vacant properties within the town’s conservation area to Brookhaven at no cost, officials announced. These parcels, located on Elm Road, W. Riviera Drive, Forest Road, Bellport Road, Grassmere Lane and Hickory Road, will be preserved as open space.
The company has agreed to cover all closing costs and property taxes through 2026.
“We are now at the point where this corporate landlord is being held to task and is taking responsibility for his properties,” said Dunne Kesnig, who sponsored the resolution to accept the donated land.
“This is a huge victory for the residents of Mastic Beach.”
SARV, which state records indicate is based in Glendale, N.Y., has also agreed to open and staff a part-time office at 54 Presidents Road in Mastic Beach to improve communication with town officials and residents. The company will maintain a dedicated team to respond to quality-of-life issues within seven days, officials siad.
“This is about justice for residents who deserve dignity and safety, and for neighborhoods that have suffered far too long,” Panico said.
Greater Long Island has reached out to a person listed in online records as being affiliated with SARV Properties for comment, GLI has also placed a call with an attorney representing SARV Properties for a response.
GLI waited several days for a response before publishing this report.
Panico urges all town residents to report and suspected code infractions on rentals to 631-451-TOWN.
Top: Neighborhood Road in Mastic Beach. (GLI file photo/Nick Esposito) Inset: Supervisor Dan Panico on Thursday.
