Vehicle Impounded, +$20,000 in Penalties Issued to Landlord & Contractors by OBC & Consumer Protection 

Violations Include Operating w/o Home Improvement License, No Certificate of Occupancy, Change in Use/Occupancy

New City, NY – A joint investigation by Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes (OBC) and the County’s Office of Consumer Protection resulted in a vehicle being impounded and + $20,000 in fines to a landlord and contractors for unauthorized work.

“This is what happens when property owners and contractors think they can ignore the law,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I applaud our Office of Buildings and Codes and Consumer Protection for collaborating and ensuring all those involved are held accountable.”

On Thursday, July 10, OBC Inspectors observed construction activity taking place at 36 Jill Lane in the Village of Spring Valley without a valid building permit. An application had been submitted for window and siding replacement only, which was still under review and not approved, but the single-family residence was undergoing full renovation/remodel conversion into a two-family dwelling, including: 

• Partition walls separating the first and second floors
• A complete gut renovation of the second story
• Extensive electrical, plumbing, framing, and insulation work

“Our inspectors are committed to ensuring construction in Rockland County is safe, legal, and held to the highest standard,” said OBC Director Edward Markunas. 

A Stop Work Order was issued at the property but on Friday July 11^th OBC returned to the site and observed individuals unloading materials into the house, a direct violation of the Stop Work Order that had been issued and posted the previous day.

As a result, Devorah Landau which owns the property is facing 28 violations and a $18,750.00 penalty.

The Office of Consumer Protection (CP) was called by OBC due to unpermitted work being performed by unlicensed contractors. CP Inspectors confirmed that Yisroel Sandel of YMS Home Improvement hired Nery Estuardo Medina Sandoval to install sheetrock, in violation of the active Stop Work Order, and the absence of a valid building permit.

A vehicle bearing a Connecticut license plate, without company lettering or a valid Rockland County Home Improvement Contractor decal, was impounded for unlicensed home improvement work and for violating the Stop Work Order.  

A $3,000 penalty was issued to Mr. Sandoval for operating without a home improvement license, and $5,000 in violations are being issued to YMS Home Improvement and Mr. Yisroel Sandel for hiring unlicensed subcontractors and working through Stop Work Orders.

“Unlicensed contractors put the safety of residents and the integrity of our housing stock at serious risk and why anyone working in Rockland County must be properly licensed and insured—no exceptions,” concluded Consumer Protection Director Kimberly Von Ronn.

Mr. Sandoval paid the $3,000 penalty, along with towing fees to retrieve his vehicle.  Mr. Sandel and YMS Home Improvement are being summoned before the Home Improvement Licensing Board for consideration of suspending or revoking their license for repeated disregard of the local laws. 

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