WNY non-profit handed eviction notice

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The news isn't always promising for non-profit groups in Buffalo.

A landlord is sending out an eviction notice for Buffalo ReUse.

For the past 3 years, Buffalo ReUse on Northampton St. in Buffalo, has been a place for builders and do-it-yourself'ers to come to get supplies at a low cost.

But the non-profit may need a new home.

A bitter dispute between the building's landlord and the tenants has left Buffalo ReUse with an eviction notice and a future court date.

Vincent Kuntz of Buffalo ReUse said, "The rent on this building is about $1.75 for a square foot per year. And that's higher than average for a building this size and condition."

As you walked around the building, Sunday's rain storms left dripping ceilings and even some small ponds inside the store.

Last month, Buffalo ReUse says they were given an eviction notice by their landlord and that their rent would almost double to $5,000 a month.

Kuntz said, "Well I was thinking I wasn't going to be ready to pay 5,000 dollars a month, which was almost a 100% increase in rent for a building that isn't perfect."

But Landlord Clark Bono told News 4 by phone that Buffalo ReUse has severely damaged the building and the property and that they fell behind in rent, which is why the eviction notice was given.

He also claims this isn't the first time he's had to warn the group about their rent and that he had to double the rent as a way to protect himself and to get their attention since he says communication has stopped between them.

Bono added that Buffalo ReUse refused to sign a lease. Bono said if the company wanted to sign a lease for one year and address the damages, he would keep rent the way it was.

Buffalo ReUse says a decision hasn't been made, but are considering options for a future locations. In the mean time, the store will stay open at least until the end of September.