Complaint About Hallway Not Specific

Tenant complained of a reduction in services based on an unpainted hallway. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced his rent. Landlord appealed, claiming that tenant's complaint was vague and thus the DRA's finding was incorrect. The DHCR ruled for landlord. Tenant lived on the second floor and claimed that one hallway was unpainted but didn't specify which one. The DRA's order was based on an inspection of a seventh-floor hallway sometime after tenant's complaint was filed. It would be unreasonable to assume that tenant referred in his complaint to a hallway five floors above his own.

Northwestern Realty Co.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. JC230131-RO (4/4/97) [2-page document]