Broken Bathroom Floor Tiles Were Minor Condition

Tenant complained of a reduction in services based on conditions in his bathroom. Landlord claimed that the conditions were minor and that tenant denied access for repairs. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced his rent. Landlord appealed and won, in part. The DHCR's inspector had found that bathroom floor tiles, the bathroom vent, bathroom sink, intercom, front room/closet walls, and kitchen wall weren't maintained. Also, the apartment needed painting. The DHCR upheld most of the DRA's findings. But based on the photos taken by the inspector, the DHCR found that the extent to which the bathroom floor tiles were cracked was minor. There was no trip hazard and no evidence of broken, uneven, or separating tiles. So this condition was removed as a grounds for the rent reduction ordered.

Peters: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. BW410017RO (6/27/14) [4-pg. doc.]