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Ofo Ezeugwu is a Fearless Crusader for NYC’s Urban Renters

Navigating the twists and turns of modern living as a somewhat responsible adult is no small feat. Especially for urban transplants relocating to major metropolitan cities, there are so many headache-inducing details to figure out. Perhaps foremost amongst these worries is finding a place to lay your head at night. Everyone who’s moved to NYC knows that once you finally figure that out, almost everything else begins to fall into place. That’s why we chose to feature Ofo Ezeugwu in our Free Radicals Issue. He’s the visionary founder of Whose Your Landlord, a community-driven organization that reviews landlords, property managers. and apartment buildings. They gather the research and do the home-work, so you know exactly what you’re committing to before you sign on the dotted line. His groundbreaking idea has already proven very successful, and there are several innovative expansions on the way. See the O.N.S interview with Ofo below.

Ofo Ezeugwu wearing the Avila shirt and Indigo Houstons jeans from ONS clothing.

When did you first come up with the idea to launch Whose Your Landlord? Did the decision arise from a particular situation you encountered?

During my senior year in college, while running for student body VP, I was working with my Team to figure out a way to assist students with housing issues. During a late night meeting, I sat back and thought “what if you could review your landlords?” And, the idea stuck. After presenting the concept to a few students organizations, we knew we would create something impactful for renters in need.

Most people in NYC moved here from somewhere else. What’s the situation with you? Do you have an Urban Transplant story?

I do have an urban transplant story. I’ve always been tied to NYC because my mother and her family emigrated here when she was 12. They grew up in East Flatbush. Throughout my childhood, I’d visit my cousins in Queens, grandfather in Bedstuy, and grandmother in Flatbush. When I first moved to NYC in 2013, I rented the top floor of my grandfather’s brownstone…I personally grew up in Maryland and went to school in North Philly at Temple before making the leap.

Ofo Ezeugwu wearing the Avila shirt and Indigo Houstons jeans from ONS clothing.

What are some of the major achievements and accomplishments of WYL since its inception? 

WYL was sued in 2018 and the case was thrown out by the district court judge in Philly. That was an accomplishment because whenever you’re doing something real – that bears tangible change – you’re going to be met with resistance. Along with that, we’ve been named the “MVP of Landlord Review Sites” by Apartment Therapy and listed as one of the top apps to use when searching for NYC housing by The New York Post. We even closed out 2018 by winning the Translational Research Award from Temple University and also winning the Innovators and Disruptors Award by NBCUniversal and NYOT.

Modern living in NYC is just stressful, especially when it comes to finding somewhere decent to stay. What are some of the tools that WYL offers to make life in the city less stressful?

WYL provides comprehensive reviews on landlords, property management, and on apartment buildings. The reviews range across seven key categories, ranging from safety, to condition of property, etc. We’ve also provide housing literacy content through the WYL Blog. And, we’ve unveiled the Renter Commandments Handbook for NYC, which comes in English, Spanish, and Russian (with Mandarin on the way). This handbook runs through renter rights, preemptive planning measures when looking for housing, and reactionary steps that should be taken in the worst case scenarios.

Ofo Ezugwu wearing the Vandam packable coat and Half-zip sweater from ONS Clothing.

You have a tech/entrepreneurial background and you’re constantly giving talks and making moves. What would you say is the main source of all your drive and inspiration?

Main source of my drive is I want others to win just as badly as I’m going to ensure I win. I want people to understand – Life is too damn short. Like, really short. It’s up to us to grab it and manipulate it into the position we need to make sure we are enjoying it to the fullest. I advocate for a complete life, not a perfect one. Go through the shit. Feel it. Learn from it. Blast through it and enjoy all the fruits of the labor that YOU deserve.

For a constantly on-the-go guy like you, what types of versatile, menswear staples will we find in your wardrobe?

I’m a huge fan of comfortable art. Meaning, I love wearing clothes that expresses a feeling without it making me uncomfortable for the entire day to wear it. When I shop for decor and art for my home, I solely make (economical) impulse buys; meaning, I want it to make me feel something in the store or online, from jump. Clothes should be the same. As a kid, I had to rationalize everything I got. “Can these shoes go with most of my outfits? Can this shirt stay clean throughout the day? Can I wash this at home, without the dry cleaners?” Now, I want to consider those things and then move beyond them to make my call. I want my impulses to drive my staple wear. Bold colors. Sleek shoewear. Naija flairs where I can embed them in. And, several intricate bracelets, rings, and a staple necklace.

Ofo Ezeugwu wearing Vandam Packable jacket and Indigo Houstons jeans from ONS Clothing.

Being a leader at any organization is tough. What are the main principles you adhere to at WYL to be the most effective and inspiring leader you can be?

I believe in exercising empathy. I believe in exercising sympathy. You need to be able to put yourself in the shoes of your Team members. When you step into their life, you better understand what they’re going through, how they perceive things, and what they need to maximize opportunities for success.

Lastly, any exciting upcoming things happening with you and/or WYL that you’d like to share with us?

Three things: We’ve created a new software that enables landlords, developers, and property managers to better understand the needs and sentiments of their renters and assists them in engaging with comments and reviews posted all over the web. Additionally, we’re coming out with a non-profit arm of WYL called The Community, which will focus on providing informative content around renter rights, home ownership, community development and in retaining legal services for housing woes. Lastly, we’re dropping the Philly Renter Commandments in the summer months. Stay up to date → wylandlord.com, @wylandlord, letstalk@wylandlord.com.

 

If you liked this story, check out more from our Urban Transplants issue.


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