A$AP Rocky’s Costly Home Renovation Sparks Legal Storm

A$AP Rocky is facing a major legal storm after his New York City condo renovations allegedly caused catastrophic flooding in his neighbor’s home.

The “Praise the Lord” rapper has been named in a $1.1 million lawsuit accusing him and his contractors of negligence after hot water pipes burst, allegedly leaving multiple units uninhabitable.

According to court documents filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on October 30, the incident occurred during renovations to Rocky’s condo in December 2024.

The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, reportedly hired ADE Pro Painting to handle the remodeling work.

On December 23, several hot water pipes “originating in and around Mr. Mayers’s unit burst, causing a cascade of water into several units below.”

The neighbor’s complaint, filed under the name Chez Ni LLC, describes the flooding as “destructive” and claims it caused “substantial damage” to their unit, including “fixtures, furnishings and improvements,” as well as personal property.

The suit, obtained by PEOPLE, alleges that the flooding rendered the property “uninhabitable while repairs and restoration were ongoing.”

The neighbor, represented by Chez Ni LLC, is pursuing $1.1 million in damages, claiming “negligence” on the part of A$AP Rocky, his contractor ADE Pro Painting, the condominium board, and the rapper’s representative, Tyson Beem.

They are demanding reimbursement for the cost of repairing their unit and replacing destroyed property. The lawsuit also seeks compensation for relocation costs, “having been displaced from the primary residence because of the water intrusion while the aforementioned repairs are completed.” In total, the neighbor is requesting $200,000 for out-of-pocket expenses related to alternative housing and $900,000 for property damage.

The complaint further claims that the condo board charged them over $42,000 for emergency cleanup work, including to “remove the saturated sheetrock, mop the water, and temporarily install dehumidifiers for several days.”

They insist they are “not responsible” for these charges since the flooding “originated” in Rocky’s apartment, arguing that he or the condominium board should cover the costs.

The neighbor’s attorney, Jonathan Jeremias of Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP, issued a strong statement to PEOPLE regarding the aftermath.

“As a result of this terrible incident, our client, as well as other residents and families in the building, were displaced from their homes beginning last Christmas Eve and for several weeks and months following,” he said.

Jeremias added that “neither Mr. Mayers nor any of the parties have acknowledged fault and accepted responsibility for the damage they caused.”

He continued, “We are deeply troubled by these failures and the lack of effort to make this situation right. We will continue to champion on behalf of our client for a full, fair and just resolution.”

A$AP Rocky’s latest legal dilemma comes over eight months after he was acquitted of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. A Los Angeles jury found him not guilty of shooting his former friend, A$AP Relli, during a 2021 altercation in Hollywood. The verdict spared the rapper from a potential 24-year prison sentence.

After hearing the decision, the 36-year-old musician leapt into the gallery to embrace his partner, Rihanna, and thanked the jurors, saying, “Thank y’all for saving my life.” Per The Blast, Rihanna later celebrated on Instagram, writing, “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy!”

The two-week trial included testimony from A$AP Relli, who claimed the rapper fired two shots that grazed his knuckles. Rocky had refused a plea deal, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings.

The verdict marked the end of a high-profile case that had gripped both fans and the entertainment industry.