Landlord Added One, Not Three, Illegal Dwelling Units

DOB issued violation notices to landlord for doing work without a permit and illegally altering a two-family house by adding three additional dwelling units. Landlord claimed that only one unit was added and that this was done before he bought the building. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $14,000. Landlord appealed and won in part. There was insufficient proof that the alteration was made before landlord bought the building. But landlord showed that there was only one additional unit, not three. The fine was reduced to $3,050.

Zou: ECB App. No. 1000738 (1/20/11) [3-pg. doc.]