Landlord Can't Remove Lobby Attendant

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to discontinue lobby attendant service at the back end of the building lobby, which had a sealed entranceway. The DRA ruled for landlord on the condition that landlord provide a security camera on a 24-hour basis at the sealed entranceway, to be monitored by the doorman at the building's front entranceway. The DRA also reduced tenants' rents permanently by $6.00 per month. Tenants appealed, claiming that the back entrance lobby attendant provided additional services. And in 1976, the Office of Rent Control (ORC) had ruled that landlord could seal the back entranceway on condition that it would supply a lobby attendant at that entrance. The DHCR ruled for tenants. The DRA's order was inconsistent with the ORC's prior order. And landlord admitted that the lobby attendant at the back entrance didn't merely watch the entranceway. He dusted furniture, swept and mopped floors in the back lobby and passage way, helped tenants with packages, relieved the front doorman at lunchtime, sorted and delivered mail, and directed guests and deliveries.

229 W. 79th St./230 W. 79th St. Tenants Assn.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. SE430038RT (11/4/04) [3-pg. doc.]