Long Island Suffolk County Brookhaven Town officials stated that a residence rented to Stony Brook University students in Salem Drive 19th of Stony Brook has been accused of illegal alterations for rooming purposes. Following a fire that broke out on July 2, the Chinese homeowners, Mr. Xingtao Liu and his wife Ms. Juan Lin, have been charged with 30 violations each. If found guilty, they could face fines of up to several hundred thousand dollars and 90 days in jail.
According to Long Island media Newsday, the property is owned by Liu Xingtao and his wife Lin Juan, as per town government records. The couple appeared in court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to charges of operating an illegal rooming house. They were granted bail and their lawyer, Vincent Trimarco, declined to comment on the case.
The Brookhaven Town government stated that the residence was originally equipped with four bedrooms but had been illegally converted into 10 living spaces. Law enforcement officers found 18 mattresses inside, with individuals occupying the attic and basement, housing at least a dozen Stony Brook University students.
Officials mentioned that virtually every room had kitchen appliances like refrigerator, microwave, and hot plates, indicating that each tenant was living separately, significantly increasing the risk of fire.
Around 4:15 am on July 2, a fire broke out in the second-floor bathroom of the residence. Firefighters arrived promptly, preventing the flames from spreading, although the fire burned through the bathroom walls, severely damaging the property. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but fortunately, all residents escaped unharmed. The town government has deemed the building condemned.
Town Mayor Dan Panico described the property as a “potential death trap,” expressing gratitude that no lives were lost in this incident. Councilman Neil Foley mentioned that had firefighters arrived any later, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
The couple faces charges including operating an illegal rooming house, lack of building and leasing permits, failure to install smoke detectors, installing illegal locks on indoor doors, and absence of a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).
Assistant Town Attorney John H. Rouse stated in court that this case is not just about regulations but a matter of life and death. He emphasized the importance of firefighters containing the fire promptly to prevent a tragedy and ensuring that tenants could escape safely.
If found guilty, Xingtao Liu could face fines of up to $180,000 while Juan Lin, who had a previous conviction last year, could be fined up to $256,000.
Prosecutors revealed that Lin admitted last July to not applying for a lease permit for the property and promised to rectify the situation, but failed to do so, leading to increased penalties in this instance.
Furthermore, it was disclosed that each tenant paid monthly rent ranging from $750 to $950, resulting in the homeowners collecting over $12,000 in rent each month.
Prosecutors questioned the couple’s actions following the fire, alleging that they instructed the university students to flee the scene before authorities arrived. Trimarco, the couple’s legal representative, did not respond to this allegation.
Lin appeared in court wearing a white baseball cap, sunglasses, and a mask. The judge inquired about any medical needs she had and reminded her that as a judge, she had the right to see the person being tried. Lin stated that her eyes were red, subsequently removing her hat, mask, and sunglasses.
Brookhaven Town Fire Chief Chris Mehrmann stated that a significant number of illegal rentals have long existed around Stony Brook, with many properties housing university students. He noted that the living conditions for these students were subpar.
Residents near Stony Brook University have continuously raised concerns over student occupation of community homes, leading to a surge in illegal modifications and safety issues over the years.
Stony Brook University issued a statement on the 22nd acknowledging the town government’s investigation into the property. The university has been assisting students in finding legal and secure housing through off-campus accommodation services and pledged to aid affected students in light of this incident.
Municipal Mayor Dan Panico disclosed that he had met with university officials to urge the construction of more student dormitories to alleviate the demand for off-campus housing. He highlighted that currently, there is a shortage of dormitory space on campus, asserting that there is available land for additional dormitory construction.