House Converted to SROs

LVT Number: 17207

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for illegally converting a home into six SRO units. ECB imposed a fine of $14,300. Landlord appealed, claiming that the fine was excessive and unreasonable. The court ruled against landlord. Landlord claimed that she had corrected most of the violations by the time of her hearing before ECB. But the fine and daily penalty for the SRO weren't unfair. Landlord didn't show that removal of a cellar kitchen and bathroom had been done by a licensed plumber.

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for illegally converting a home into six SRO units. ECB imposed a fine of $14,300. Landlord appealed, claiming that the fine was excessive and unreasonable. The court ruled against landlord. Landlord claimed that she had corrected most of the violations by the time of her hearing before ECB. But the fine and daily penalty for the SRO weren't unfair. Landlord didn't show that removal of a cellar kitchen and bathroom had been done by a licensed plumber. Landlord also admitted that at the time of the hearing, three of the SRO units were still occupied by nonfamily members.

Chiang v. ECB: NYLJ, 3/3/04, p. 20, col. 1 (Sup. Ct. Queens; Thomas, J)