Landlord Claims Building Illegally Converted by Squatters

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord based on illegal conversion of a two-family dwelling into SRO units. Landlord claimed that the conversion was done without his knowledge or consent by squatters that his tenant let into the building. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $2,000. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord claimed that when he found out about the squatters, he brought eviction proceedings, but that it took 15 months. But it didn't matter that landlord didn't cause or know about the violation. And the fact that landlord started legal action after the date of the violation didn't relieve him of liability.

Petiton: ECB App. No. 1100479 (9/22/11) [3-pg. doc.]