building at 2 West 16th Street- DO NOT LIVE HERE

I believe you have just caused yourself a lot of trouble

From Wiki: Libel is defined as defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures.

As it applies to the internet: http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/02/bad-yelp-reviews-lawsuits.html

Might want to ask the moderators to remove your post. Just saying . . .

Needsadvice, would you like to define defamation?

As long as the claims are factual I dont really see any libel issue at all.
Maybe with "miserable people." Safer to say "miserable people to deal with"

NeedsAdvice, interesting but poorly written article as it doesnt express the reason the contractor would have won the case had he not posted defamatory responses back.
The claim that he was unlicensed? Or the stolen jewelry claim? both?

Kudos to Goldfinger for blasting them on this forum

If the post is true there is no problem here. The truth is a defense for defamation.

The OP's statement about "miserable people" is pretty clearly opinion. Opinion is not actionable, I believe. If the factual stuff is true, then it isn't actionable too. There aren't laws that prevent people from communicating truthful things that may be negative. I think most people misunderstand and overestimate "libel" and "slander" suits. They are very expensive, and rarely brought, with little to gain for most people--even if they win.

I have to agree with the first comment. Lived here for 1.5 years and was not pleasant to deal with the landlord. They changed the rent every month and the apartment has now been on the market for 5 months. She is an old crazy bat and the son is dumb as a door nail. I would strongly suggest to not live in this building. The hot water never worked or was 160 degrees (I had someone come take the temp) Bums were sleeping on the roof and someone living in the building was dealing drugs out of the basement. Ceiling leaked and had mice. You can clearly see from the outside of the building that it is falling apart. Its probably one call away from being non-live able!

worst building to ever live in! the landlord should be in jail! dont live here

This is still true 3+ years later. Please, please, look at the HPD violations on this place before renting here:

online.hpdnyc.org/HPDonline/provide_address.aspx

Hello, could those complaining please elaborate? I am looking at an apartment here and would like to know more

DO NOT live here. I was attracted by the seemingly "cheap" rent but the place is un-liveable. My ceiling is leaking when it rains, mice running around in the kitchen. Never met the landlord lady but she's 90 year old and often call tenant through a guy. She will be sitting in the corner yelling to this guy and he will repeat whatever she says to the phone. I seriously cannot deal with this frustration anymore. I wish I could glue a note in front of the building so people won't be trapped into this situation like I was.

Can confirm everything said above is still true. The building is run down and neglected, trash is left exposed and piled up both in front of the building and in the entry hallway. There are nests of mice both inside and outside the building. The water boiler must be undersized, because during the winter you'll get maybe 2 minutes of hot water before it goes cold. Bizarre phone calls from the landlady and her son/nephew/something, where you will be yelled at/accused of something, be confused, and then not hear from them again.

There is also no clear way to contact them via email or text message, and they will only very sporadically pick up the phone. The phone numbers posted are also not their actual phone numbers, so contacting them all round is just difficult to impossible.

Hello all. I’m Muriel. I currently live on the first floor at 2 west 16th street. I’ve been here now for 5 months. I couldn’t be happier. I think the old landlord that everyone is talking about has passed away. Michael, the current owner, has been extremely courteous and helpful with everything. I love living here. My close friend from France just took the apartment on the second floor. The building was built in 1850 so of course there are small issues from time to time but nothing serious. Always taken care of quickly, normally by Oki, the super of the building. Love him! Also the realtor Austin has been amazing. He lives in the building too. A real sweetheart. There are currently two vacancies. I suggest jumping on them if you like it. Ignore the nonsense above. Merci

Welcome Muriel. I'm sure it's just coincidence that the building was listed for sale last week.

Hahahahaha, Richard. Shillers always gonna shill.

Curious if 30Years has any insight into this building as his office is just down the way.

I grew up on this block and was always intrigued by this building; the facade is definitely in uniquely worse condition than all the other brownstones on the street.

I've loved the building as concept for almost half a century, but thought every unit I've seen in it over the years was......

"Ceiling height about 19 feet" plus zero real "setup" I believe give some insight into the quality of the information a buyer is likely to receive on this property.