Taylor Swift has racked up thousands in fines at NYC home

May 2024 · 3 minute read

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Taylor Swift has got some “Bad Blood” with the city’s Sanitation Department.

Since purchasing a three-story townhouse at 153 Franklin St. in Tribeca in October 2017 for $18 million, Swift has been ticketed 32 times, totaling $3,010, for failing to keep the sidewalks in front of her building clean, according to city records.

But even with an estimated net worth of $570 million and world tours to worry about, the pop star — and her army of lawyers — took the time and energy to fight the fines.

She even managed to shake off $200 in penalties.

Between January 2018 and January 2023, Sanitation inspectors dinged Swift, 33, for failing to clean the area in front of her building, having a dirty sidewalk, and improperly disposing of garbage.

Over the years, the unsightly stream of grime has included piles of newspapers, bottles and cardboard; napkins and wrappers; and “scattered ashtray contents” and a cigarette carton, according to the summonses. 

Taylor Swift has been dinged 32 times by the Sanitation Department since she purchased a Franklin Street townhouse. AP
Swift and her lawyers took the time to get $200 in fines dismissed. GC Images

“She doesn’t care about leaving trash out,” one 22-year-old dog walker told The Post, while just a couple of smushed cigarette butts dotted the area in front of the 27-foot-wide townhouse on the cobblestoned block. “I think she’s more focused on her multi-million dollar tour that’s bankrupting all her fans.” 

A rep for Swift declined to comment.

The chichi pad was previously occupied by former International Monetary Fund director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who rented in the building for $50,000 a month while under house arrest in 2011 for allegedly sexually assaulting a hotel maid, although the charges were dropped later that year.

After Swift purchased the townhouse, she converted it into private entrance for her sprawling penthouse in the condominium next door, at 155 Franklin St., where she has spent nearly $30 million on three units.

Sanitation inspectors wrote that they have observed trash in front of her building including cigarettes, newspapers, cardboard and wrappers. Helayne Seidman

While both buildings have received sanitation tickets, the condo association at 155 Franklin St. is responsible for maintaining the area in front of its building.

Swift is solely responsible for keeping the space in front of her townhouse clean.

Several Swifties defended their idol’s reputation, blaming the garbage pile-ups on the paparazzi and fans who regularly camp out on Franklin for a fleeting glimpse of the beloved celebrity. 

“It’s probably the fans waiting for her and smoking while they’re bored,” Christine O’Connor, 33, said. “She doesn’t even smoke!”

Some Tribeca residents said that other buildings’ streets are much dirtier than Swift’s and more deserving of fines. Helayne Seidman

David Aldea, Swift’s one-time landlord at 23 Cornelia St., was surprised to hear about his former tenant’s messy situation.

“She was nothing but a perfect tenant the entire time and lovely to deal with,” said Aldea, a former Soho House executive. “I have nothing but positive things to say about her.” 

City records show since purchasing the townhouse, Swift’s glorified mudroom and garage has racked up the most sanitation tickets of any building on the block.

Swifties believe that the trash has been left behind by paparazzi and other fans waiting for a glimpse of the beloved celebrity. Helayne Seidman

“I’m not sure if [city inspectors] are doing it to everyone or if she’s being targeted,” Tribeca resident Rebecca Heller, 44, mused. 

“I live on White Street, and there are other people who deserve [being ticketed] more. And they’re clearly not changing their behavior.” 

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