City Council Housing Committee Chairman Jumaane Williams is a self-professed champion of tenants — just not his own.
Williams filed a lawsuit to evict a couple who were behind in the rent on the two-story residence he owns at 1392 E. 98th St. in Brooklyn, The Post has learned.
The action clashes with Williams’ history of tenant advocacy. He previously served as executive director of New York State Tenants & Neighbors, a group that advocates for tenants’ rights, such as rent control and affordable housing.
But as a landlord, the Brooklyn Democrat wants to be paid on time — or else.
Williams initiated eviction proceedings against tenants Deborah and Andre Thompson by serving them with a three-day demand notice in October 2010 for owing $300 in September rent and $1,200 for October.
Three weeks later, he filed another notice because they still owed $300 on their October rent and were two weeks’ late on their November rent.
And Williams meant business, unleashing his lawyer on the tenants and demanding late fees and legal costs.
“As per the terms of your lease, you also owe late fees in the amount of $200 and legal fees of $125. You are required to pay the total amount due ($1,825) on or before Nov. 29, 2010 . . . or surrender possession of the premises to the landlord,” Williams’ lawyer, Maria Felix, told the tenants in the legal notice.
Williams filed suit Dec. 8, 2010, in Brooklyn Housing Court seeking “final judgment of eviction” after the Thompsons apparently failed to make the required payments under a mid-November settlement agreement.
The case was finally settled Feb. 4, 2011, with the tenants agreeing to pay $4,575.
Williams — who once insisted, “Tenants’ rights are human rights,” while calling for the renewal of state rent-control laws that include protections against unjust evictions — defended his actions.
He said he made the move against his Canarsie tenants only as a last resort.
“I would never try to evict a tenant off of one month’s rent. That’s something I would never do or ever have done,” he said.
“I had an attorney involved because this was about something more than one month’s rent. There were many episodes with these tenants. Every option was entered to avoid the legal action.”
The Thompsons could not be reached for comment.
Williams insisted his experience and struggles as a small landlord — as well as a tenant- rights advocate — will serve him well as Housing Committee chairman.
“I can see the issue from both sides. I understand tenant issues and landlord issues and dealing with nonpaying tenants,” he said.