Damaged Fire Walls Not Minor Condition

Rent-stabilized tenant complained of a reduction in building-wide services based on a number of conditions. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced her rent. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed that any service reduction was de minimis--that is, minor--and didn't warrant a rent reduction. But metal fire-preventing walls in the second- and third-floor hallways weren't a minor condition, and tenants could also complain to HPD about this.

Beachlane Management Co.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. ZC410004RO (2/10/12) [2-pg. doc.]