Landlord Added Four Illegal SRO Units

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for illegally altering a two-family residence by adding four SRO units to the second floor of the building. Landlord denied he did this. He claimed that there was one large family living together on the second floor. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $3,200. Landlord appealed and lost. DOB's inspection showed that each of the four bedrooms on the second floor had a separate lock and key, and each of the rooms contained the occupant's toiletries. No toiletries were found in the bathroom. A common household would exist if each occupant had access to all parts of the dwelling. Here, the evidence showed that the occupants were living separately in illegal SRO units.

Jean: ECB App. No. 42253 (12/18/08) [3-pg. doc.]