Landlord Added Illegal Attic and Basement Apartments

DOB issued violation notices to landlord for doing work without a permit and for failing to comply with prior orders to cure. DOB's inspector found partition walls, water and waste lines for a bathroom installation, and a gas line for a stove in the basement. There was similar construction in the attic. Landlord claimed that this work was done before she bought the building. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined her $16,800. Landlord appealed and lost. There was no proof that the work was done previously. It also was no defense that landlord's engineer failed to file certificates of correction of the violations. And, contrary to landlord's claim, there were no duplicate violation notices.

Lindsay: ECB App. No. 1100442 (9/22/11) [3-pg. doc.]