Rent Reduced to $1 per Month Due to Fire

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in services, claiming that a fire left his apartment uninhabitable. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced his rent to $1 per month. DRA's decision was based on a DOB vacate order, which noted fire and water damage. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed that HPD didn't issue a partial vacate order for tenant's apartment. But records showed that DOB issued a partial vacate order due to a violation. And landlord didn't dispute that tenant's apartment was substantially damaged by a fire at the building. The DRA correctly reduced tenant's rent pending restoration of the apartment to a livable condition.

2070 LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. AS610002RO (6/14/13) [2-pg. doc.]