Here is the article, and it is a very good bit of news.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0213/Front_page/007.htmlResidential overcrowding remains on town's radar
Property owners and tenants fined for recent violations
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - Seven rental properties in Freehold Borough were slapped with summonses for overcrowding in recent months.
By that action, code enforcement official Hank Stryker III believes the town's proactive enforcement of its housing codes and ordinances is deterring landlords who do not intend to take care of their properties from coming to the borough.
Some properties were cited with violations as a result of complaints while others were found as a result of regular inspection of rental properties.
Officials said they want to ensure the well being of all residents by making certain all properties are safe.
A complaint was lodged on Oct. 8 about a property on South Street for possible overcrowding and using undesignated rooms for sleeping purposes. A scheduled inspection with the owner, Rawlson Ramroop, revealed that although the attic did not appear to be used for sleeping it was finished off without permits. When the inspector examined the basement, bed frames and clothing were found to be stored there. According to the report, "It appeared they moved all beds and clothing temporarily for the scheduled inspection."
At that time, the report stated, it was unclear whether there was overcrowding. A warning was given but no summonses were issued at that time.
An unscheduled inspection was recommended by the code inspector and that occurred on Oct. 23. The unscheduled inspection was done under a search warrant because the manager of the property, tenant Lalo Martinez, would not give permission for municipal officials to enter the home.
The search warrant was obtained from Freehold Borough Municipal Court Judge Scott Basen and code enforcement officers returned to the home, this time finding 11 tenants in the three-bedroom home. Upon arrival with the warrant, the inspector noted 11 residents, confirming the overcrowding that was previously suspected. The rear room had three adult males sleeping in that location. The three bedrooms were inspected with no violations. The attic, when inspected, was found to have violations that included three adult males who used the attic for sleeping purposes.
Ramroop pleaded guilty and received fines totaling $3,500 for overcrowding, two counts of sleeping in nondesignated areas and converting a single-family home into a boarding house without approval.
In another instance an inspection began with an Oct. 23 complaint about a home owned by James Brady on Wayne Avenue. The home was found to have overcrowding and people sleeping in nondesignated areas.
Brady received summonses for overcrowding, permitting sleeping in nondesignated areas and for not having functioning smoke detectors. His case has been adjourned until he can secure a public defender, according to Stryker.
Brady's tenant, Luis Mancia, pled guilty to overcrowding and permitting sleeping in nondesignated areas and was fined $2,250.
A property on Hull Avenue was inspected as part of the borough's regular inspection program and revealed that a total of eight people were living in the three-bedroom home, which was in excess of the number of people indicated on the property's registration form. Violations were found in the living room, kitchen and bedrooms.
Owner David Hayim pleaded guilty to overcrowding and to contempt for failure to appear in court earlier. His fines totaled $1,350. His tenant, Honorina Cruz, pleaded guilty on Nov. 11 to overcrowding at the Hull Avenue property and received a fine of $1,250.
An inspection of a property on Jackson Street was conducted as part of the regular inspection program on Dec. 6 and revealed overcrowding, according to Stryker.
In this instance the owner, listed as Silow Corporation, is owned by Matthew Bailey who pleaded guilty to permitting sleeping in nondesignated areas. He was fined $500. His tenant, Carlos Mazariego, pleaded guilty to overcrowding and permitting sleeping in nondesignated areas and was fined $1,750.
Officials said the inspection revealed that the home was overcrowded and that the basement was being used for sleeping purposes.
Another property on Jackson Street was also cited for overcrowding with 10 people living in a home designated for six individuals. An inspection on Dec. 6 revealed that the home was overcrowded.
The owner, Michael Carpino, received a violations letter. His tenant, Servando Hernandez, was fined for overcrowding. Hernandez's case has been adjourned until he can appear in court with a public defender, according to Stryker. The property manager, Martha Perra, pled guilty to overcrowding and was fined $1,250.
Another Jackson Street property received summonses for overcrowding and for permitting sleeping in nondesignated areas in nonhabitable places.
The owner of the property, Thomas Avendano, received summonses for overcrowding and permitting sleeping in nonhabitable areas. He was fined $3,000. Avendano's tenant Renatal Jara also received summonses for overcrowding and permitting sleeping in nonhabitable areas and was also fined $3,000.
A property on Institute Street that is owned by Angela Massocova was cited for overcrowding. Massocova pleaded guilty to permitting sleeping in nonhabitable areas and was fined $500. Her tenant, Macrina Rae, was fined $2,500 for overcrowding and for permitting sleeping in nonhabitable areas.
Stryker said he believes the regular inspection of borough properties is helping to weed out the problem of residential overcrowding. The rental property inspection program has been in place since July 2006, he said.
