By Hank Russell
The Town of Brookhaven has reached a landmark court settlement with a corporate landlord that the town board said was responsible for widespread housing code violations primarily in the Mastic Beach area. The settlement resulted in $103,500 in fines agreed upon by SARV Properties LLC and related entities, following enforcement actions involving 100 rental properties that led to 196 summonses and 131 guilty pleas.
“This settlement represents a turning point in how Brookhaven confronts negligent landlords,” said Town Supervisor Dan 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.”
Town Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig, who represents Mastic, Shirley and Mastic Beach, said SARV had “for far too long been creating serious quality of [life] issues for the Mastic Beach community. 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.”
The violations uncovered included failure to register rental properties, illegal conversions resulting in overcrowded rooming houses, construction without permits, and overall neglect that negatively impacts neighborhoods.
“When firefighters enter a smoke-filled home expecting a standard layout only to encounter hidden walls and altered floorplans, it endangers lives.” Panico said. “We cannot tolerate these reckless practices.”
As part of the agreement, six vacant properties located within the Town’s conservation area have been deeded to Brookhaven at no cost, ensuring their permanent preservation as open space. These parcels span Elm Road, W. Riviera Drive, Forest Road, Bellport Road, Grassmere Lane, and Hickory Road in Mastic Beach. The property owners will cover all closing costs and property taxes for 2025 and 2026.
Dunne Kesnig, who sponsored the Town Board resolution to accept the donated parcels, praised the outcome. “We are now at the point where this corporate landlord is being held to task and is taking responsibility for his properties,” she said. “This is a huge victory for the residents of Mastic Beach.”
On her Facebook page, Dunne Kesnig posted, “This issue has been significant in my office, bringing in countless complaints on a weekly basis, regarding the unsafe conditions in these houses. Out of the nearly 200 properties owned by the corporations in Mastic Beach, 100 have or will be coming into compliance. This is only the beginning and the law department will continue to actively prosecute this and any landlords who violate the town code.”
SARV Properties LLC has also committed to opening and staffing a part-time local office at 54 Presidents Road in Mastic Beach to serve as a direct point of contact for town officials and residents. The landlord has agreed to provide the town with a designated communications team and respond within seven days to any quality-of-life issues identified by the town.
“This is about justice for residents who deserve dignity and safety, and for neighborhoods that have suffered far too long,” Panico said.
Long Island Life & Politics has reached out to the landlord’s attorney and is waiting to hear back.