Defective Stair Rails Not Minor Condition

Tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents after an inspection showed that the front building stair rails were defective. Landlord appealed, claiming that this was a minor condition and that most tenants weren't affected by the railings, because the rear apartments didn't use the staircase. The DHCR ruled against landlord. Inspection showed that duct work done on the front railings was unworkmanlike. This wasn't a minor condition. Stairway railings are important to building safety. It didn't matter that some tenants may not use those railings.

153 Avenue A Assoc., LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. UA410046RO (1/12/07) [2-pg. doc.]