Apartment Door Lock Was Working at “No Access” Inspection

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in services based on a broken entrance door lock and a broken air conditioner. The DRA found these to be emergency conditions and directed landlord to respond immediately. Landlord answered that tenant wouldn’t provide access despite landlord’s offer of a number of dates for making repairs. The DRA ruled against tenant based on results of a “no access” inspection conducted by the DHCR in January 2016. Tenant appealed and lost. The DHCR’s inspector had noted that the apartment entry door lock was working properly and the door itself was secure at the time of inspection. The air conditioner belonged to tenant, and the inspector couldn’t determine if it was working properly since the outdoor temperature was 47 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Kapoor: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. EN110009RT (6/30/16) [3-pg. doc.]