Landlord Performed Clean-Up Work While Stop-Work Order in Effect

LVT Number: #30993

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for unlawfully continuing work at a building while on notice of a stop-work (SWO). DOB's inspector found three workers painting walls at the first floor of the building, contrary to a full SWO. Landlord claimed that he only did the painting as damage control because a water leak was getting the wall wet. He believed that the SWO permitted clean-up work. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $5,000. Landlord appealed and lost.