A landlord is facing charges after city officials say he illegally subdivided apartments in a building where five people died in a fire last month, The New York Times reported.

The owner of the building was charged with building violations late Friday in connection with the fatal Jan. 30 fire.

Landlords and business owners have a duty to provide safe and secure properties. New York City premise liability attorneys fight for the rights of tenants seriously injured or killed on rental property. Examples of landlord liability claims can include faulty balconies, porches or railings; escalator or elevator injuries; negligent security that results in an assault; evacuation injuries; and unsafe conditions that contribute to injury in a fire or other accident.

In this case, the landlord is charged with illegally subdividing the apartments to create more units. The building on 86th Street in Bensonhurst was severely damaged in the fire. Investigators from the Buildings Department reportedly found that apartments on the second and third floors were illegally divided, including a two-bedroom apartment that had been converted into four units.

A city spokesman said the division left two front units with only one stairwell exit, which collapsed in the fire. Police have charged a second-floor resident with setting the blaze, The Times reported. Officials said at least 18 people lived in the apartments on two floors above a sushi restaurant.

The Building department issued violations Feb. 12, accusing the company that owns the building of illegally increasing occupancy, working without a permit and failure to provide two means of egress. Each violation carries a fine of up to $25,000.

"Property owners must understand they have a responsibility to maintain their property in a safe manner, and an illegal conversion can put people's lives in serious danger,"
buildings commissioner, Robert D. LiMandri, said in a statement.