Fire Department Violations: Landlord Proves Sprinkler System Flow Test Was Timely
The Fire Department issued a violation notice to landlord for failing to arrange for a performance flow test of the building’s residential sprinkler system in the presence of a Fire Department...
Rent Reduction Denied: No Rent Reduction Where Elevators in Service on Inspection Date
Tenant complained of a reduction in building-wide services. She claimed that there was limited or no elevator service at the building. The DRA ruled against tenant after inspection showed that the two...
Landlord’s Negligence: Landlord Had No Notice Before Pipe Burst
Tenant sued landlord and its managing agent in small claims court for water damage to her property caused by a broken pipe in her apartment building. The court dismissed the case against the managing agent, finding...
Eviction: Tenant Didn’t Comply with Requirements for New Keycard
Tenant sued landlord for illegal lockout. She claimed that landlord didn’t give her keycards to the new locks that had been installed on the entry doors solely because she had refused to provide landlord with a...
Here are some DHCR rulings from the past year that illustrate some of the points made about the high-income/high-rent deregulation process in this special issue.
Discrimination: Tenant Claims Therapy Dog Needed as Treatment for Disability
Landlord sued to evict tenant who kept a dog in violation of his lease and didn't remove the dog after landlord sent tenant a notice to cure. Tenant then complained to the State Division of Human Rights (...
Rent Stabilization: Building Substantially Rehabbed Was Exempt from Stabilization
Landlord sued to evict an unregulated tenant. Tenant claimed that he was subject to rent stabilization. The trial court ruled for landlord. Tenant appealed and lost. Landlord showed that prior landlord...
Alterations to Apartments: Tenant Renovated Bathroom Without Landlord’s Permission
Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant for creating a nuisance and for violating his lease by performing unauthorized alterations. Landlord claimed that tenant demolished the apartment’...
Primary Residence: Tenant Must Submit to Independent Medical Exam
Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant based on nonprimary residence. Landlord claimed that tenant lived in New Jersey and sublet the apartment without landlord’s permission. Tenant claimed that he was away...
Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to terminate one rent-stabilized and four rent-controlled tenancies in order to demolish the building tenants lived in. Landlord claimed that the apartments were uninhabitable, that a new...
Demolition: Building Code Changes Required Changes to Demolition Plan
Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to refuse renewal of rent-stabilized tenants’ leases based on its intent to demolish the building. The DRA ruled against landlord, finding that it didn’t have the...
