Bed Bugs Found in Tenant's Apartment

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in services based on bed bugs in his apartment. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced his rent. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed she answered the DRA's notice of tenant's complaint. She also claimed she hired a bed bug specialist to treat the problem. But when landlord didn't answer within 45 days, the DRA sent landlord a final notice and received no response. In addition, HPD had issued a violation for bed bugs in tenant's apartment two weeks before tenant filed her DHCR complaint. So the DRA properly decided the case based on available proof.

Mukhopadhyay: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. YA210013RO (6/17/10) [3-pg. doc.]