Facade Restoration Improperly Performed

Landlord applied for MCI rent hikes based on facade restoration and roof installation. The DRA ruled for landlord and increased tenants' rents. Tenants appealed, claiming that the facade work was incomplete and of poor quality. Among other things, tenants submitted newspapers clippings showing that some time after the work was performed, a portion of the building facade collapsed. This forced a street closing for two days. The DHCR ruled for tenants and revoked the rent increase. Landlord offered no reasonable explanation for the collapse of a portion of the facade. Even if that portion of the facade wasn't included in the MCI, the collapse supported tenants' claim that the work done wasn't comprehensive.

Various Tenants 444 E. 82nd St.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. Nos. ME410020RT et al. (3/18/99) [3-pg. doc.]