DHCR Couldn't Verify Condition of Incinerator Rooms

Tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services based on inadequate janitorial service. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents. Landlord later applied for rent restoration based on the restoration of services. The DRA ruled against landlord, who appealed and lost. The DRA found that janitorial services weren't restored because the incinerator rooms on all floors were sealed shut and janitorial services were inadequate on all stairs. Landlord argued that the incinerator doors weren't a subject of tenants' complaint. But, in opposing the rent restoration application, tenants had stated specifically that janitorial service wasn't restored in the incinerator rooms because they were filled with debris and not cleaned regularly. Landlord didn't deny this, and the DHCR then sent an inspector, who was unable to access the locked rooms. Landlord's application to restore rents was properly denied.

75 East 21st Street, LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. ZC210008RO (3/9/12) [4-pg. doc.]