Landlord Not Required to Install Front-Door Lock

Tenants complained of decreased building-wide services, claiming that landlord had removed the lock from the outer front door. Landlord argued that he'd removed the lock because the Fire Department issued him a violation notice for having a locked front door. The DRA ordered a rent cut, and landlord appealed. The DHCR revoked the rent cut. Landlord isn't required to install a front-door lock if the vestibule door is properly secured, self-closing, and self-locking. Since the vestibule door met these conditions, landlord could remove the lock.

Various Tenants of 1689 First Avenue: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. GK 410200-RT (5/12/94) [5-page document]