Court Grants HPD $244,500 in Penalties Against Landlord for Hot Water Violations

HPD sued landlord, seeking a court order directing landlord to correct three "C" violations HPD had issued at the building based on a lack of hot water, as well as civil penalties in the amount of $244,500. The penalties were calculated in part based on the number of days the violations were open without correction.

The court ruled for HPD. It was undisputed that landlord never certified the violations as corrected with HPD. And landlord submitted no documentary evidence that it had corrected the violations or that there was adequate hot water at the building after the violations were issued. Landlord also presented no testimony from witnesses with personal knowledge or an expert testimony concerning the hot water system. HPD was entitled to an order directing landlord to correct the hot water violations and a judgment against landlord in the amount of the requested $244,500.

HPD v. Thomas: Index No. L&T302216/21, 2021 NY Slip Op 32566(U)(Civ. Ct. Kings; 12/3/21; Capell, J)