Lady Gaga’s father is refusing to pay $260,000 in rent and fees for his Grand Central Terminal restaurant and bar, claiming that the New York City homeless population is hurting his business.

Joe Germanotta, owner of Art Bird & Whiskey Bar, told The Post that the homeless population in Grand Central’s basement food court cut his business by 30 percent since he opened the spot in 2018.

‘The homeless go in there to stay warm. We’re compassionate, but it affects our customers. When the homeless invade our areas, it becomes a less attractive place,’ he said.

Joe Germanotta, pictured at Art Bird & Whiskey Bar, is refusing to pay $280,000 in rent and fees because he says homeless people are killing his business

Germanotta and other business owners said that, in addition to the homeless problem, a rodent infestation, outdated facilities and old furniture are also turning customers away.

Germanotta said he’s frustrated with the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s, or MTA, refusal to tackle ongoing problems and said although he wants to stay, he can’t afford to do so under those conditions.

He said: ‘I don’t think they were prepared [to manage the space]. Quite frankly, I think they’re more interested in running the trains.’

If appropriate steps aren't taken to clean up and reinvigorate the space, Germanotta said he’d leave and expects the MTA to compensate him the money he’s invested.

In addition to the homeless population, a rat infestation and oudated facilities have also contributed to keeping customers away

Several restaurateurs expressed regret over securing a lease at Grand Central Terminal, where monthly payments can eat away at 30 percent or more of their gross revenue.

That’s double what they would expect to pay at another location in New York City, according to The Wall Street Journal who first reported the story.

‘We entered into the lease and expected certain conditions for our business. They have to update it to conditions that are suitable for a food court,’ Germanotta said, adding that he’s seen people wash their hair in restroom sinks and inappropriate items in urinals.

Germanotta signed a lease that expires in 2028.

MTA officials at one point blamed a three per cent drop in food court revenue in 2018 on ‘outdated furniture design’ and ‘continuing challenge of the homeless population.’

But in 2019 they said sales had increased by six per cent.

In response, the MTA has given Germanotta two weeks to pay his debt or they will begin repossessing the property.

If Germanotta can’t reach an agreement, he said that he will pursue $1.5million for construction, loss of business and investments in the restaurant.

MTA spokesman Tim Minton said the MTA and Germanotta had previously negotiated an agreement to defer rent payments, but he refused to sign.

Pictured: Lady Gaga (center) and Germanotta (right) at Art Bird & Whiskey Bar in Grand Central Terminal

Minton said: ‘This is a landlord-tenant dispute, pure and simple, in which the landlord seeks to blame his financial struggles on anyone but himself.’

‘The fact that Mr. Germanotta does not appreciate someone who is less fortunate having a cup of coffee near his business is not the problem of the people of the state of New York, who don’t expect to have to subsidize his struggling business.’

On Monday, Germanotta attended a MTA board and told commissioners that the homeless population and the current state of public restrooms are hurting businesses in the terminal.

MTA board member Neal Zuckerman acknowledged the homelessness in Grand Central Terminal, referencing the ‘loitering and frankly harassment,’ but said authorities will not intervene against people who are abiding terminal rules.

MTA Police Chief Al Stiehler said: ‘These are people, they are suffering, they need help, they need assistance and we will do everything we can every day to provide them the help that they need.’

‘We are very mindful to protect their rights.’

The scenes at Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station in New York have been pictured amid an apparent homelessness crisis that is reportedly making the lives of commuters and tourists a misery.

A homeless person panhandles outside of Penn Station, New York. They hold a sign reading 'I might as well be invisible' while surrounded by fast food bags and a McDonald's cup to collect money

Images show displaced Americans trying to sleep on floors and even trash cans as travelers and business people go about their daily lives, while other photographs captured this weekend show them tucked up discreetly on benches and at food hall dining tables.

But some pictures show panhandlers begging for money as people run to catch trains or stop to grab refreshments, and it has reportedly made people dread using the stations in midtown Manhattan.

CBS previously reported that by 5.30pm the Grand Central Terminal 'becomes a homeless shelter' and potential customers are afraid to visit businesses.

A homeless man sits on the stairs inside Penn Station, New York

A homeless person sleeps inside Penn Station, New York near the Amtrak ticket officer

The scene on Saturday showed people without a home using parts of the dining areas to rest with their belongings. A sign reads 'grab a seat and enjoy'.

Others were seen around an area with a sink and drinking fountain for water or walking by the lost and found area with items of clothing.

It's after it was reported the Bowery Residents Committee temporarily closed its outreach office at Penn Station after even members of the group hired to work with the homeless couldn't handle it anymore.

Members said they had received a threat from one well-known homeless man who is believed to have threatened staffers at the office when he was told to leave.

A homeless woman panhandles inside Penn Station, New York, holding a cup from a fast food restaurant to collect money

'You have arrived': Homeless people sit on stairs at Penn Station in New York City this weekend

A homeless woman named Dixie from New York, aged 65, sits in the food terminal of Grand Central Terminal, New York. She has been homeless for 30 years and looks for food in the station daily to survive

Eugene Watts allegedly responded by saying: 'I will leave, but I'm going to come back with a gun and shoot you'.

Watts denied he made the threat.

'You see people who are barefoot. People throw ice in here. I've seen people literally defecate right here in front of the store,' said Cesar Rodriguez, who manages a Verizon store at the terminal, told The Post.

Even former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton took to Twitter to point out the rising problem within the terminal, noting it was already happening before the outreach program closed its doors.

'People always sleeping on the floor, all over the station,' he wrote in the social media post.

A 65-year-old homeless woman named Dixie, from New York, said she has been without a place to live for 30 years and looks for food in Grand Central Terminal daily to survive.