HAVERSTRAW, N.Y. — As first investigated and reported by Rockland News, residents at Admirals Cove, a waterfront apartment complex in the Village of Haverstraw, are raising concerns about persistent heating and cooling problems, mold conditions, elevator and electrical malfunctions – and what they describe as a lack of proper communication from property management. This is part 2 of our ongoing series. Our first story was published yesterday, and is viewable here.
During today’s series of interviews with tenants, ‘Chantelle’ (real name withheld), who has lived in a one-bedroom unit for an extended period of time at Admirals Cove, shared her experience with us during a pre-recorded segment. Her account outlines a series of ongoing issues that she says have affected both her quality of life and her family’s well-being.
Temperature Control Complaints
According to Chantelle, tenants do not have full control over their apartment thermostats. She alleges that building management centrally controls heating and cooling systems, leading to extreme indoor temperatures — sometimes reaching 80 to 85 degrees.
“My place gets extremely hot in the summer,” she said. “It leads to 80 degrees, even 85 degrees sometimes. Management completely controls the air conditioning and heating, so I can’t change it.”
Chantelle says that when residents report overheating, management advises them to open windows or use additional fans. However, she claims that even with windows open year-round, temperatures remain high — particularly on upper floors. She also alleged that during transitional seasons, management switches between heating and cooling systems without notice. This, she says, creates uncertainty for residents with pets or family members at home during the day.
Mold Concerns
Chantelle also reported recurring mold around window areas in her apartment. She stated that after reporting the issue, maintenance workers that were sent by the property management company painted over affected areas rather than performing what she considered a full remediation from a qualified mold remediation company, or a qualified mold inspector.
“When I got home, you could still see the bubbles where the mold was,” she said. “It was just fresh white paint over it.”
This account was also conveyed by several other residents of Admirals Cove that we have interviewed.
She further described winter conditions where condensation and ice formed on the interior of windows, allegedly resulting in what she described as “fuzzy frozen mold.”
Chantelle said she has resorted to cleaning the affected areas herself with bleach after mold returned – within weeks of maintenance visits.
While mold can stem from multiple environmental factors, including condensation and ventilation issues, Chantelle disputes suggestions that open windows or moisture from the nearby Hudson River are solely responsible. She notes that other tenants who kept windows closed experienced similar problems with mold.
Elevator Safety Issues
Beyond climate and mold concerns, residents have also cited mechanical problems in at least two buildings within the complex.
Chantelle reported that in Building 4100, an elevator door malfunction has caused delays of several minutes before the car begins moving. She said residents frequently opt to use the stairs due to the issue, which she believes has persisted for over a month.
More seriously, she referenced a reported incident in Building 3100 in which an elevator allegedly dropped multiple floors before stopping, trapping a resident inside for approximately an hour until emergency responders arrived.
Communication and Response
Throughout her testimony, Chantelle emphasized what she described as limited communication from management regarding repairs, HVAC scheduling, and maintenance timelines. She said residents are often directed to use an app-based reporting system, but thereafter, users may wait weeks for responses.
“There really hasn’t been any solution,” she said. “It’s kind of just, ‘This is how it is.’”
She also stated that she and her family have occasionally chosen to stay elsewhere during extreme heat conditions.
Next Steps
Rockland News reached out to management representatives at Admirals Cove for comment regarding the allegations, including questions about HVAC controls, mold remediation procedures, elevator inspections, and tenant communications. The property management company has offered a tour of the facility, which we will be arranging within the next several days.
Admirals Cove, located along the waterfront in Haverstraw, is marketed as a modern residential complex offering river views and upscale amenities.
Contact the Reporter
Please let us know what's on your mind. You must be a resident of Rockland County NY. Your full name will not be used in this article. Your location will not be used in this article.
