Landlord Must Refund Overcharge with Triple Damages
LVT Number: #29879
Landlord sued to evict tenant for nonpayment of rent. Tenant claimed rent overcharge. The court ruled for tenant after landlord failed to present proof of claimed individual apartment improvements (IAIs) to the apartment. Review of lease and rent registration records showed that tenant had been overcharged. The court ordered landlord to refund $14,000, including triple damages for willful overcharge.
Morris Realty v. Caceres: Index No. 28249/17, NYLJ, 12/19/18, p. 21, col. 2 (Civ. Ct. Bronx; 11/29/18; Spears, J)