Tenants of East Orange condo complex say building is in deplorable conditions

The owners and renters at Prospect Towers Condominiums say that there is no maintenance team for the building.

Matt Trapani and Naomi Yané

Mar 16, 2023, 12:30 AM

Updated 637 days ago

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Tenants in an East Orange condo building are demanding better living conditions from the building’s management.
The owners and renters at Prospect Towers Condominiums say that there is no maintenance team for the building, forcing them to live in what they call deplorable conditions. They say that the ceiling is crumbling, there is no heat or hot water and overflowing garbage.
“This building has been basically going down the tubes since we’ve been here,” says Celeste Law, who has lived in the building for seven years.
Tenants gathered in the building’s lobby on Wednesday to tell News 12 New Jersey about the things they have witnessed and experienced.
“Heat and hot water is included in my rent. I should have it and sometimes I come home, and I don’t have it,” says tenant Steve Prestup. “It’s been cold outside.”
“I’ve gotten flood problems in my apartment. No heat in my living rooms. It’s been going on for like three years,” Law says.
Some of the tenants own their units and pay a maintenance fee. Others rent their unit through Royal Property Management Group. They are blaming their landlord for a possible looming threat from PSE&G to shut off services next week for non-payment
In a statement, PSE&G said in part, “We posted a notice at the property, so residents are aware of the situation. If the account owner/landlord doesn’t resolve their bill, they are at risk having their utility service disconnected on March 16 or later.”
“We got elderly people. We got babies in this building. It’s still cold outside. Why we are going through this, especially since we pay our rent,” asks Law.
PSE&G also said the company offers special payment plans. March 16 is the end of the “Winter Termination Period” that has protections around shutting off customers during cold and winter months.
Tenants say between what they pay in rent and maintenance fees, their building should be in better shape.
News 12 reached out to Royal Property Management and its owner but did not hear back.