Insufficient Proof Landlord Reduced Storage Space

Rent-stabilized tenants in a cooperative building complained of a reduction in building-wide services. They claimed that landlord removed areas previously used by tenants. Landlord claimed that it provided storage space for all who requested it. The DRA ruled against tenants after inspection showed that there was a storage room with 40 padlocked cubicles, along with two bicycle rooms in the building basement. Tenants appealed and lost. Tenants claimed that the co-op shareholders used the storage bins and that there was now less space for tenant storage. But any reduction in services was minor. Tenants didn't have lease clauses providing for storage space. And there was no proof that landlord had provided formal storage boxes or bins to tenants within three years before tenants complained. 

Havens: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. AR430010RT (12/23/14) [3-pg. doc.]