Reduced Janitor Service, Other Conditions Not Minor

Tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents after inspection showed that landlord wasn't maintaining building-wide janitor service, the elevator lacked janitor service, the ventilation system on all floors was defective, there were holes and missing plaster in three stairwell locations, and the roof terrace floor for one sixth-floor apartment had been reduced. Landlord appealed, claiming that these conditions were minor and didn't warrant rent reductions. Landlord also argued that the sixth-floor apartment condition wasn't a building-wide condition. The DHCR ruled against landlord. The DRA properly found that the conditions affected the health, security, or safety of tenants. They weren't minor conditions. Tenants also pointed out that all sixth-floor tenants had terraces and that prior landlord always repaired them. Reducing a roof-terrace structure was a building-wide condition.

184 Thompson Street Owner, LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. VK430098RO (3/26/08) [2-pg. doc.]