Graffiti Is Minor Condition

Tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services based on a number of conditions. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents. Among other things, the DHCR's inspector found graffiti on an outside wall of the building. Landlord appealed, claiming that the graffiti was a minor condition that didn't warrant a rent reduction. The DHCR ruled for landlord. The graffiti was found only on the staircase "D" bulkhead walls. This was a minor condition. The DHCR's policy memo on graffiti states that it will be considered minor if it is minor graffiti inside a building. The rent reduction for this condition was revoked.

Cornell Apartments, LLC/Stein: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket Nos. WA610023RO, WA610046RT (4/30/08) [3-pg. doc.]