Surf Street Home Cited for UnSafe Conditions

The owner of a Hampton Bays home, located at 3 Surf Street in Hampton Bays, has been cited for unsafe conditions.

According to a statement sent to the media on Friday, town investigators and enforcement units assisted by the Fire Marshal‘s Office and the Southampton Town Police Department inspected the home last Tuesday and found that there were more than 12 people living in the house, including six young children.

Investigators found that the two-family home had been illegally converted to house three families. The third family area was found in the house's basement and containing two, substandard bedrooms, and an illegal kitchen and bathroom. The area, inspectors said, had no smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors or code-complaint emergency escape windows. 

Aside from no smoke or carbon monoxide detectors in the basement, inspectors said that there were also no such working devices anywhere else in the house. 

In addition, inspectors noted electrical violations, such as a live and unsecured 220 volt line, electrical extension cords in place of permanent wiring, and combustible materials in close prolixity to the furnace, which inspectors said is a fire hazard.

"The violations found at the site exemplify why the rental law and its enforcement are so important,” said Councilman Chris Nuzzi. 

Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst added, "It is unlawful and inhumane to subject people to these living conditions. “Property owners who permit egregious housing violations that comprise the safety of residents and undermine the quality of life for community members will be prosecuted to the extent of the law."

Emely Trejo, the owner of the home was ticketed for having no smoke detectors (10 counts), no Carbon monoxide detectors (5 counts), building without a permit, plumbing without a permit, electrical work without a permit, ceiling height too low in basement apartments, bedrooms too small, no emergency escape windows in basement (4 counts), electrical hazards, no rental or accessory apartment permit, property maintenance, building without permits (5 counts), occupying w/o proper Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Occupancy, litter and debris, and for having two unregistered vehicles on the property.

Town officials say they have been actively pursing illegal apartments in the hamlet of Hampton Bays and say that violations are down, however, overcrowding is on the rise. Read more by .