Tenants in a Brooklyn rent-regulated building are organizing against their landlord’s plan to replace the 24/7 front desk staff with a remote virtual monitoring system, arguing the change undermines safety, accessibility, and tenant protections. Residents highlight concerns that automated systems cannot assist with emergencies like guiding elderly neighbors, handling blackouts, or coordinating with first responders—services currently provided by on-site staff. The shift also raises questions about job losses for security personnel while tenants continue paying the same rent for reduced services, framing it as a potential "bait and switch." A Reddit user is seeking input from others who have faced similar changes, sharing resources and asking for firsthand accounts of challenges or successful resistance efforts.
I live in a rent-regulated building in Brooklyn, and our owner has applied with DHCR to replace our 24/7 front desk staff with a remote virtual monitoring system. I know this landlord is trying it at another one of their buildings too. I understand that we have tenants rights, and I'm looking to help our building advocate for those rights. While this could seem like a silly thing to complain about at face value, this is really an issue of safety, accessibility, and an issue of landlords performing a bait and switch services. A remote operator can't help an older neighbor through a dark stairwell or carry a stroller in during a blackout, or let the fire department in (things that have all happened in our building). Real people lose good jobs, and tenants keep paying the same rent for less. I saw the NYT article on this and it prompted me to post on Reddit. Is this happening in your building? If you fought it, what worked? I've gotten my hands on some resources but would really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through it. What I'm specifically asking for: Do you have a virtual doorman and dislike the experience? Please share details if you're comfortable, it could be helpful for my case! Have you dealt with this issue? Would love to hear how it turned out! Are you going through this currently? Let me know so we can help each other! The political opinions on this are irrelevant to the case itself - our rights are what they are. submitted by /u/Millennial-dirtbag [link] [comments]
