Apartment Door Defective

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in services based on a defective apartment entrance door. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced her rent. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed that carpeting installed by tenant prevented the apartment door from closing properly. But tenant had complained that the apartment door had gaps allowing for cold air and cigarette smoke to come into the apartment. Landlord claimed that there were no gaps under the door. The DHCR’s inspector found that the door was warped and sagging, sticking to the marble saddle, and not self-closing or self-locking. The strike plate wasn’t properly secured and there was metal carpet trim installed on the door to cover the gaps. Tenant’s rent was properly reduced.

A.F. & G. Realty Associates LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. CX610027RO (10/16/15) [3-pg. doc.]