Laundry Room Hours Reduced

Tenant complained of reduced services based on a reduction of the number of hours landlord provided access to the laundry room. The DRA ruled for tenant based on a finding that landlord had reduced unrestricted 24-hour laundry room access to the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Landlord appealed, claiming that 24-hour laundry room access was an accommodation that wasn't a required service. Landlord also stated that it stopped providing 24-hour service when security was threatened and that tenant didn't show that the laundry room was used between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. The DHCR ruled against landlord. Tenants stated that before 1981 landlord provided 24-hour laundry service. A court had also previously ruled that reducing laundry room hours for safety purposes could be considered a reduction in services. In this case, cutting laundry room access by 11 hours a day substantially interfered with the ability of tenants to enjoy those services, especially for tenants who commute to daytime jobs, attend school, or prepare meals.

Mallis Realty: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. KL130027RO (10/24/97) [3-page document]