June 1, 2026
THIS IS MY MOST MISERABLE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION THAT AFFECTED MY ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RENTAL PROCESS AND LED ME INVESTIGATION WITH NY DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE.
In June 2025, I documented several real estate transactions that I believed were discriminatory because I was using a New York City housing voucher and residing in a shelter. In my end-of-year message, I updated this information to include the most recent developments in my housing search and the additional obstacles I encountered while seeking permanent housing.
On November 12, 2025, the shelter's housing specialist informed me of an apartment located at 185E and 163 Bronx Apt A3 NY 10451. In its report said: 3 rooms 1 bedroom rent $ 2,550.00. I completed a Rental Client Registration and Fee Agreement with Corcoran through TMOR@corcoran.com On November 17, 2025, at 4 pm Mr. Tuval Mor, the broker made an appointment to view the apartment. When I entered the apartment, it was dark and there was no electricity, Mr. Mor used the flashlight on the phone to show it. The bedroom didn't have closets; I had to use the one near the bathroom. The kitchen was included in the living room and had a small fridge almost at the entrance of the apartment. There was a radiator standing on the floor. It looked like this unit had been remodeled to become a studio and each space was counted as a room. I needed a place to live and I accepted it.
After viewing the apartment, Mr. Mor sent me the rental application, which I completed online and paid $ 20.00. He informed me that I would have to wait for an interview with the board and that it could not take place until after the end of the year holidays. On January 13, 2026, the housing specialist informed me that the apartment had been denied to me. Mr. Mor claimed that the New York Real Estate System placed my name on a block list following comments I published on my personal webpage.
February 10, 2026, the housing specialist informed me that Mr. Mor, had received the complaint I filed with Human Resources regarding the apartment he denied me after stating that I was blocked on the NY real estate system list. I asked for help to find out how I could be removed from that block list. The housing specialist, in retaliation, told me that she would no longer refer me to any of her brokers. She further stated that I was now under strict surveillance by Human Resources and warned that if I did not accept the apartments I was offered, it would have serious consequences.
I contacted the New York State Real Estate Authority in Albany, and after exchanging several messages, they confirmed that no such “blocked list” exists. During our communication, they did identify an instance of housing voucher discrimination involving one of the brokers. They asked whether I wished to file a formal complaint; however, I declined, as my primary goal is simply to have peace of mind while continuing my search for an apartment.
The housing specialist left the shelter but first assigned her assistant to manage my search for apartments. This new person showed a hostile attitude towards me and referred me to 3 studios in unwanted, unsafe areas and a considerable distance from the train station. I have shown constant interest in a one-bedroom apartment as I meet the requirements. Her behavior made me feel like she was supporting or continuing a pattern of retaliation, even more so than the first housing specialist. Finally, she told me that she was acting as my housing specialist, but she wasn't, her mission was to report me to Human Resources for not accepting her apartments. She also left the shelter.
THESE COMMENTS
REFLECT THE FRUSTRATION AND EMOTIONAL SUFFERING I EXPERIENCED DURING THE
BEGINNING OF AN ARDUOUS APARTMENT SEARCH. I FELT DECEIVED BY SOME BROKERS
WHO, DESPITE EXTENDED PERIODS OF WAITING AND REPEATED FOLLOW-UPS, FAILED TO
RESPOND TO MY CALLS OR EMAILS. I INCLUDED THE NAMES OF AGENCIES AND THEIR
BROKERS TO REINFORCE THE CREDIBILITY OF MY TESTIMONY, NOT WITH AN INTENT TO DEFAME OR HARASS ANYONE.
PANTIGA GROUP
On June 21, 2023, I visited a building at 3130 Grand Concourse, Bronx. The building's superintendent showed me Apartment 4-T, which he stated was available, and provided me with a rental application, which I completed. On the same day, he contacted the broker Mr. Jessy Uruena to initiate the rental process. I provided him with a copy of my documents, however, as soon as the broker learned that I was residing in a shelter, he stated that the apartment had already been rented. This sudden change contradicted the information previously provided to me.
On August 4, 2023, I found an apartment for rent on the Zillow website, located at 2700 Grand Concourse, Apartment 210, in the Bronx. Since 2019, I have expressed to the superintendent my interest in renting an apartment in the building. He introduced me to Mr. Walny Valdez from WV Realty, and together we viewed the apartment, even though it needed some repairs. I emailed Mr. Valdez my documents, but he never confirmed receiving them or replied to my messages. I tried contacting him several times by phone, but he did not answer my calls or texts. I even went to his office, but he was not there. With the superintendent we concluded that Mr. Valdez decided not to help me after informing him that I was staying in a shelter.
NYC EMPIRE REALTY
On August 30, 2023, the superintendent showed me another available apartment, Unit 202, and introduced me to Mr. Jansel Pujols from NYC Empire Realty. I emailed Mr. Pujols the required documents along with a copy of my housing voucher. On September 7, 2023, the superintendent informed me that apartment 202 had legal issues with the current tenant, who had decided not to return the keys, and that it would take time before the unit became available. On September 18, 2023, I was hospitalized and remained there for over a month due to complications from gallbladder surgery.
During my stay, I texted the superintendent and promised to save the apartment for me. On October 23, 2023, fearing that I might lose the opportunity to rent it, I decided to leave the hospital against medical advice. On November 1, 2023, the superintendent allowed me to record a video and take pictures of apartment 202. I went to Mr. Pujols’s office to complete the application and provided a $20.00 blank money order to cover the processing fee. On November 22, 2023, Mr. Pujols told me that my application was being processed but that the office would be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, and he suggested that I call him the following Monday. I tried reaching him multiple times by phone and left several messages, but he never returned my calls.
ANGELA VILORIA HOUSES OF NY -REALTOR OR SCAMMER?
April 30, 2025, I requested an application for an apartment at 1240 Sherman Ave apt B2, Bronx, NY 10456. Around 9pm I received a response from Ms. Angela Viloria and asked me to answer 7 questions regarding my income, credit score, etc.
On May 3, 2025, Ms. Viloria sent me 3 pages of the rental application with many requirements and asked me for more documents. She made an appointment to see the apartment with her partner Mr. Daniel. The next day she sent me an email saying that she had received partial documents, wanted my tax return, bank statements, proof of my income, a full credit and background check. Although I have already sent 13 documents, I accepted Mr. Daniel's suggestion to do the credit and background check. I paid $47.00 for the process and Ms. Viloria had access to it.
After all these transactions Ms. Viloria or Daniel didn’t answer my calls or emails. I became concerned about the veracity of these people; my fears began when I realized that I had given a lot of personal documentation to a person who had a low and dubious profile on Google. 1.0 * 1 review 4/30/25 Part of this review said: "... does not respond to my inquiry in the Bronx, NY. My experience with Angela was horrible not only does she never answer her phone but never respond to email …I would recommend no one use Angela unless you want to be completely ignored.
On May 22, 2024, the real estate agency ADAL offered me an apartment with a signed contract but due to an error in my voucher the transaction was not finalized.
On May 28, 2025, I emailed CHESTNUT HOLDING OF NEW YORK INC, owners of the buildings where I wanted to live. I reasonably believed that their agents avoided me instead of evaluating me as a prospective tenant. I asked for help renting one of the properties. I received no response and on June 1, 2025, I followed up on my previous emails that never were answered and I was totally ignored.
MY HARROWING EXPERIENCE AND SHATTERED HOPES OF GETTING AN APARTMENT THROUGH BRUMA REALTY.
Bruma Realty is the agency that lists most of the apartments in Bedford Park and the Grand Concourse, which are my favorite areas of the Bronx. I have applied for apartments many times without being successful in any transaction. On November 26, 2024, I sent an email to four Realtors of Bruma expressing my frustration at applying for apartments and not hearing back. The subject was: MY HOPES OF RENTING AN APARTMENT ARE IN YOUR AGENCY. Finally, in February 2025, Bruma Realty gave me the opportunity to apply for one of its apartments, but unfortunately my voucher was renewed with incorrect income and Bruma didn't want to wait for it to be updated.
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