Landlord Replaced Overnight Doorman with Video Camera

Rent-stabilized tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services when landlord discontinued doorman service from midnight to 7 a.m. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed that the replacement of the doorman with digital cameras throughout the building's common area was an improvement in security rather than a reduction services. Landlord said that the digital images were recorded continuously and saved, not copied over. But landlord admitted that three doormen previously were provided, and doorman services previously were provided 24/7. The DHCR noted that a doorman provides a security presence that can't be replicated by a video system.

118-11 84th Avenue: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. AN110015RO (2/15/13) [2-pg. doc.]