By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A man who purchased rundown houses in Buffalo and rented or sold them at exorbitant prices must reform his business practices and make repairs to the properties.
In the fall of 2000, Wizig bought 280 dilapidated homes in poor Buffalo neighborhoods at an average price of $2,200. An investigation by the Attorney General's office determined that many of those properties were in deplorable condition.
In addition, Wizig's leases and rental contracts contained illegal provisions that held tenants responsible for repairs he was legally required to make and forced tenants to pay double the cost of repairs he performed.
In November 2002, the Attorney General's Office sued Wizig and obtained a restraining order halting his illegal real estate sales and rental practices. Wednesday's settlement, which was filed with Justice Peter Notaro in State Supreme Court, resolves that lawsuit.
Under the settlement, Wizig is liable for $250,000 in repairs, rental credits and restitution.
"New Yorkers have every right to expect that the properties they rent, lease or buy will meet basic standards of habitability and safety," Spitzer said. "As this case demonstrates, my office will do all it can to hold developers to these standards."