Intercom Volume Level Too Low

Tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services based on a number of conditions. The DRA ruled for tenants and reduced their rents. Landlord appealed, disputing many of the DRA's findings. The DHCR ruled against landlord. The DRA reasonably relied on its inspector's report, which found that: the audio for the intercom was very low in five apartments; there was no audio in another apartment; and the audio didn't work at all in yet another apartment;  the garbage cans stored in the basement had no lids; the elevators on the north and south sides of the building bounced when going up or down to designated floors; and the south side elevator's inside door scraped when closing, while the south side elevator stalled on the fifth floor for eight minutes and moved only when the super jarred the outside door. Landlord's argument that the inspector wasn't qualified to determine an acceptable auditory level for the intercom had no merit. The DHCR's inspector could determine whether the volume was too low. 

3505 Decatur Ave: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. AP630023RO (8/29/13) [7-pg. doc.]