Landlord Changed Gas Valve on Hot Water Heater Without Permit

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for performing work without a permit based on an inspector's observation that a new hot water heater had been installed in the cellar. The inspector later testified that the new unit wasn't a direct replacement because there was a changed gas valve. Landlord claimed that he installed only a water heater and didn't install the gas valve. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $800. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord maintained that its company hadn't installed the gas valve in question. But DOB produced photographs of the valve, and Building Code Section 28-105.1 made it unlawful to install or replace equipment such as a gas-burning hot water heater without a DOB permit. 

Vigilante: ECB App. No. 1200891 (12/19/13) [6-pg. doc.]