Binghamton tenants claim unfair evictions, but landlord says allegations are false

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BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — Finding a rental property in Binghamton is no easy task. Most of the properties available for rent are student accommodation, making it difficult for others to find a rental.

Local property manager, Thomas DeAngelo evicted tenants for not getting along. Connie Smolack, a current tenant, and a former tenant named Andrea who did not wish to share her last name with 12 News verified this information. DeAngelo owns Empire Property Management in Binghamton and has been in the business for over 15 years.

DeAngelo manages many properties in the area. One of them is a property at 139 Beethoven St. Andrea, and her husband Joseph; who had the lease under his name, are former tenants of DeAngelo and said they encountered several issues during their time at the property.

In November 2022, the couple left the property due, they say, to a toxic relationship they had with the owner. Andrea said a big problem they had was that there was only hot water in the bathroom, which made it difficult for their 4-year-old daughter to wash her hands without getting burned. .

The couple withheld rent last month due to maintenance issues which they say have not been resolved. They told the landlord they would be moving out by the end of November and told DeAngelo to keep the security deposit. Andrea said she received a 14-day notice stuck on their door signed by DeAngelo but nothing legally signed.

On January 26, DeAngelo said those allegations were false. He chose not to be interviewed by 12 News. But later, on Jan. 27, DeAngelos’ attorney Rachel Miller shared with 12 News multiple eviction notices from tenants, including Andrea and Josephs.

According to Smolack, three other tenants of the property on Beethoven Street are being evicted and have been granted legal evictions for not agreeing. Smolack, who has lived at the property since January 2020, said she has never been late paying her rent, has never breached her lease and takes care of her apartment herself.

Smolack said she never had any problems at the property until this year, when two of the upstairs neighbors engaged in what she alleges are constant fights.

Smolack said she was starting to feel unsafe living on the property. Smolack said she contacted Empire Property Management to inform them of the situation which led to an email from DeAngelo on January 11, 2023, informing Smolack that she would be receiving a 90-day eviction notice.

12 News contacted the code’s application for comment and did not hear back.

Another tenant, who asked not to be named, told 12 News he had no problem with DeAngelo as the landlord. This tenant said he was satisfied with the operation of Empire Property Management.

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