The Heidi Klum of Foot-Models Sues Apartment Building

November 24th, 2009 by Matt DiChiara| Posted in Apartment Living | 3 Comments »

Christina Ambers, the famous hand and foot model, alleges that she and her husband (who was formerly employed as a doorman at the building where Ms. Ambers lives and now resides with her at that address) have been the victims of a hostile ostracization by the building’s workers and tenants.

Attorney Joshua Price has filed a suit on the couple’s behalf with the Manhattan Supreme Court, hoping to be compensated $10 million dollars for their troubles. Those troubles include, but are not limited to, refusing to make repairs, refusing service normally extended to residents such as haling cabs, delivering packages and greeting guests, and at least one instance of below the belt physical assault.

We’ll withhold judgment until we hear updates, as any judicious observer should, so here are the facts of the case according to various media outlets:

The plaintiff’s story alleges that fellow residents lashed out at a love they just could not understand. According to the couple’s attorney, a romance between the doorman and a resident was an unendurable encroachment on the rigid caste system of the Upper East Side of Manhattan and both employees and other residents of the building have tried to force them out of their home in retaliation.

Although the building’s attorney had no comment, regarding their dismissal of Mr. Rotgers as an employee after the “upstairs, downstairs” relationship became known to them; nor did they respond to the allegations regarding their responsibility for the conduct of its residents or employees towards the couple after Mr. Rotgers moved in. Residents, however, have not held their tongues, referring to Ms. Amber’s as a neighbor from Hell.

Obviously, either the plaintiff has delusions of persecution or her fellow residents are French nobility from the 18th century.

However silly the details of the case are, there are some interesting points to consider. Are relationships between property managers and residents forbidden? Discouraged?

Can the owners of the building be held responsible for the conduct of its residents insofar as it creates or facilitates an unhealthy living situation for one or more of its residents? Just as a company must take legal responsibility for harassment in the workplace, do these same protections or regulations pertain to apartment buildings?