# Tenants Union Rallies Against Alleged Months-Long Harassment on Bowers Street
Jersey City residents showed up in force recently, rallying together to protest what they say is months of harassment from their new landlord. The demonstration, led by the Jersey City Tenants Union, put a spotlight on troubling issues—tenant rights violations, surprise fees, and worsening living conditions—since the building at 186 Bowers Street changed hands.
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The Battle Between Tenants and New Ownership
Things started going sideways when Isaac Sebbag of Gold Sky Equities bought the Bowers Street property through 995 Summit Ave Ventures, LLC. Tenants say that after the purchase, the new owner tried to squeeze extra money out of them or push them out altogether.
Alleged Violations of Rent Control Protections
Residents say the landlord pressured them to sign new leases that broke Jersey City’s rent control rules. When tenants pushed back, they say the harassment got worse.
“They started implementing all these new fees,” said one resident who didn’t want to be named. “Suddenly we were being charged for pets we’d had for years, storage spaces we’d always used, and even brackets for air conditioners.”
Deteriorating Living Conditions
On top of the financial stuff, tenants described how the landlord ignored basic building maintenance. The garbage area, for example, sat dirty for months, making life pretty unpleasant for everyone.
It almost seems like the goal is to make things so uncomfortable that tenants just leave on their own. That way, landlords can bring in new renters and jack up the rent to market rates—even if it means skirting rent control laws.
A Pattern Across Jersey City
The Tenants Union says this isn’t just a one-off problem. They’ve seen similar harassment in other rent-controlled buildings across the city, which points to a bigger, more worrying trend.
At the rally, organizers brought up Code 260, a local rule meant to shield tenants from harassment and illegal rent hikes. But they argue that city officials aren’t really enforcing it, leaving tenants to fend for themselves and report violations on their own.
Community Response and Call to Action
The protest drew not just tenants from Bowers Street, but also neighbors and housing activists from all over Jersey City. Clearly, housing security is something a lot of people care about right now.
The Jersey City Tenants Union listed a few key demands:
Looking Forward: The Fight for Housing Rights
Representatives for the landlord didn’t offer any comment on the allegations. Tenant advocates, on the other hand, have made it clear—they’re not backing down until someone actually listens to their concerns.
The Tenants Union keeps stressing that collective action is still their strongest weapon against housing insecurity. They gather, rally, and keep pushing, even when the odds feel stacked.
If you’re curious about things to do in Jersey City, you might want to check out the city’s lively community activism scene. It’s a real window into the kind of passionate civic engagement that gives so many neighborhoods their character.
Thinking about where to stay in Jersey City? Maybe take a little extra time to look into buildings with stable ownership and a good track record with tenants. It’s not just about amenities—it’s about how people are treated, too.
The housing challenges brought to light by this protest really show why knowing your tenant rights matters, especially if you’re getting to Jersey City for the first time—whether you’re visiting or thinking of moving in. Sure, Jersey City hotels are there for tourists, but people living here long-term are still fighting for stability and a fair shake.
Get a discount of 15% to 70% on accommodation in Jersey City! Look for deals here:
Jersey City Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs
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