Landlord Can Replace Key Lock with Electronic Keyless Card System

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to modify required building services by replacing the traditional building key lock with a keyless electronic card system. The DRA ruled for landlord despite tenant's concerns that the keyless system might not work in the event of a power failure, that it could malfunction, that there might not be a building employee on site to help tenants who had problems getting into the building, and that tenants with religious prohibitions against using the system at certain times wouldn't be able to get into the building. Tenant appealed and lost. Landlord stated that it had a 24-hour emergency hotline and that a nearby employee would respond immediately if tenants had problems with the key card system. The DRA also ordered landlord to provide telephone service in the building vestibule so that tenants could contact landlord's hotline 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Cohen: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. VJ410041RT (9/28/12) [4-pg. doc.]