Slumlords may be on notice currently, but the same goes for illegal tenants. The NY Times has a feature today about landlords hiring private investigators to root out and uncover illegal subletters ( deja vu !). Investigators say that their business has picked up in the past year as landlords and building owners hope to root out rent-stabilized tenants not living in the apartments and then eventually charge more money to a market rate tenant. Private investigators from the firm J.T. Mullen—owner Joseph Mullen and vice president Shane Williams—invited the Times on a stakeout of an anonymous building—which had a “parade of slovenly dressed 20-something’s”—and the pair shared some anecdotes. “[Mullen] investigated a Baxter Street building where all of the residents had the same Social Security number. Mr. Williams chimed in about a building where the illegal tenant listed his apartment under the name O. B. Juan KNobi.” Also, “At some buildings, the superintendent can be talked into wedging a match into a locked apartment door to see how many days or weeks it takes to fall out” and it’s good when a super takes out the trash early because it gives them a chance to look at discarded bills. Apparently “slovenly dressed 20-something’s” may not shred their bills.

The rest is here: 
Private Eyes Discover Illegal Tenant O. B. Juan KNobi