JERSEY CITY – Local religious leaders say a mega-landlord has installed cameras directly in front of some tenants' doors, one month after they spoke out about being treated unfairly.

The new cameras and a proposed security system that required tenants in some buildings provide photos of their driver's licenses are the newest forms of intimidation landlord Joseph Ehrman uses, Jersey City Together said during a June 18 rally.

Ehrman, described by the group as a "predatory landlord," owns multiple management companies in Jersey City, including Sixth Boro, Optimum Property Management and Golden Apple.

Jersey City Together first exposed what it called inhumane living conditions at dozens of properties owned by Clifton-based Trendy Management in 2017. The group's investigation prompted more than 1,000 housing violations to be issued by city officials. Trendy has since sold many of its properties, several to Ehrman's companies.

The group then began investigating complaints against Ehrman's companies and residents spoke of their housing struggles: rodent infestations, attempts to remove longtime tenants and failure to make necessary repairs.

A message left at Optimum Property Management seeking comment from Ehrman was not returned.

"In the last few weeks, immediately after our action, we've heard from a number of tenants that these tactics have only continued," the Rev. Tom Murphy said last week. "We've heard about the fear it has created."

Residents, who declined to be quoted directly and asked to remain anonymous, said they were never told why the cameras were installed, but they believe the management company is looking to catch people livings in apartments who are not on the lease. Cameras are in some buildings, but the residents interviewed were not certain how many buildings have cameras.

Speaking about the new security system they were told will be implemented, residents were uneasy about photos of their driver's licenses and other ID cards (for those who do not drive) being taken with a cell phone by management representatives.

Michael Maddalena said his Vroom Street apartment building is a "revolving door" of tenants in part because maintenance in apartments is not done, garbage piles up and the hallways aren't clean. He said he first took up his fight when the property was owned by Trendy Management and finally saw some progress being made in the building, until it was sold to Sixth Boro in December.

"All of the sudden we were dealing with the same garbage again," Maddalena said.

The city has taken action at his building after persistent complaints, with more than 100 violations issued to Ehrman ordering he make repairs to flooring, windows, plumbing and electrical fixtures, documents show.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said the city has moved forward with its commitment to hold "bad landlords" accountable by proposing a foreclosure ordinance and appointing new leadership in the tenant-landlord office.

Dinah Hendon, who ran the Waterfront Project, a free legal clinic and housing counseling agency serving low- and moderate-income Hudson County residents, will become the city's housing preservation director on July 23. Hendon, of Verona, said she intends to make sure inspectors are going out to inspect and that housing code and rent control laws are being enforced.

An attorney, Hendon said the state's and the city's housing laws "level the playing field" between landlords and tenants ... but only if they are being enforced.

"You can have a great law, but if it's not being enforced properly, it doesn't do anything for anybody, except maybe for landlords," she sad. "If you want a community that's a mixed community where all people can live somewhat comfortably, you have to level the playing field a little bit."

Additional reporting by Journal staff writer Terrence T. McDonald.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.