Landlord Disobeyed Court Orders to Correct Violations

The DOB issued violations against landlord for electrical problems in tenant's apartment, and found that this was an eminently hazardous condition and a serious fire risk. A court ordered landlord to correct the building violations and restore electric service. Landlord didn't comply. The court gave landlord another four chances to correct the violations, but it didn't do so. Landlord argued that it had done all it could to comply with the court orders. The judge fined landlord and held landlord's managing agent in contempt. Landlord had repeatedly ignored court orders to repair the defects, and had made no meaningful attempt to remedy the dangerous conditions. The court also ruled that managing agent will remain in jail until landlord corrects the violations.

v. M 641 Realty Corp. urell: NYLJ, p. 30, col. 1 (1/18/95) (Civ. Ct. Kings; Callender, J)