DHCR Moisture Meter Readings Prove Leak Problems

Tenant complained of a reduction in building-wide services, due to lobby-level plumbing problems. Tenant said there were leaks at the ceiling inside the locked main entrance door, and at the ceiling between the west side elevator and garage door. Tenant later pointed out that there was a separate DHCR proceeding regarding conditions on the sixth floor of the building. Inspection confirmed the conditions. In both locations, the inspector's moisture meter read "wet." The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced her rent based on the lobby conditions and because there was also a "wet" moisture meter reading on the sixth floor. Landlord appealed. The DHCR ruled for landlord in part. The sixth-floor conditions weren't part of tenant's complaint in this case, so that finding was deleted as grounds for a rent reduction in this case. But the DHCR's moisture meter readings were sufficient reason to rule for tenant. The meter readings, as well as visible damage, confirmed that there were plumbing leaks at the spots tenant complained about.

Samson Management, LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. UG710001RO (7/17/07) [5-pg. doc.]