Landlord Built Five Illegal Rooms in Cellar

LVT Number: #19950

DOB issued two violation notices to landlord. One violation was for work without a permit. The other was for creating five rooms and installing a gas stove in the cellar, in violation of the building's Certificate of Occupancy. Landlord claimed improper delivery of the violation notices. He also said the illegal rooms existed when he bought the building. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $1,300. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord didn't prove that the inspector had failed to make a reasonable attempt at personal delivery before mailing the violation notice to landlord.

DOB issued two violation notices to landlord. One violation was for work without a permit. The other was for creating five rooms and installing a gas stove in the cellar, in violation of the building's Certificate of Occupancy. Landlord claimed improper delivery of the violation notices. He also said the illegal rooms existed when he bought the building. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $1,300. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord didn't prove that the inspector had failed to make a reasonable attempt at personal delivery before mailing the violation notice to landlord. And landlord presented no documentation showing that the illegal rooms were in the building before landlord took ownership.

Owner of 20 Crooke Avenue: ECB App. Nos. 40523-40524 (3/29/07) [2-pg. doc.]