Upper West Side Owner Faces Discrimination Complaint Over Gym Ban

Public Advocate Letitia James recently filed a complaint against the owners of an Upper West Side apartment complex that has barred its rent-stabilized tenants from the building’s gym. The Commission on Human Rights complaint against the owners cite a 2008 law prohibiting discrimination based on income. It was established to protect tenants in the Section 8 voucher program, but James says it may apply in this case.

The Commission is investigating the matter and has asked the owners to provide information about other properties they own as well as a breakdown of the tenant composition within their buildings. Tenants at the complex were told last month that the new gym would be for market-rate tenants only.