Inspection Showed Vermin Condition in Apartment

Tenant complained of a reduction in services based on vermin infestation in her apartment. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced her rent. Landlord appealed, claiming that the DRA should have ordered a no-access inspection, that the apartment was so cluttered that the exterminator only had limited access, that tenant didn't give the building super access to seal holes and crevices, and that tenant admitted that the exterminator was in the apartment on the date of the DRA's last inspection. The DHCR ruled against landlord. A no-access inspection wasn't needed in this case because landlord had access to tenant's apartment. Landlord submitted several exterminator's vouchers showing visits to tenant's apartment. Tenant also admitted that crevices and holes were sealed during one extermination visit, but that the vermin problem continued. The DHCR inspected several times. And while there was no evidence of mice by the time of the last inspection, the inspector still found roaches and roach egg flakes in the apartment.

Jamaica Estates, LLC: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. WF110032RO (10/3/08) [3-pg. doc.]