Wood Plank Installed on Staircase Wasn't Minor Condition

Rent-stabilized tenants complained of a reduction in services based on a number of building conditions. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents due to inadequate janitorial service in the lobby and a stair condition. Landlord later applied for rent restoration based on restoration of services. The DRA ruled against landlord, who appealed and lost. Landlord pointed out that there was ongoing construction work in the building lobby at the time of the DHCR’s inspection but that the area was kept clean. But landlord had installed wood planks in place of staircase steps. Landlord claimed that this was temporary while awaiting the installation of new marble steps. But this wasn’t a de minimis condition.

Goldstein: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. CO430031RO (2/27/15) [2-pg. doc.]