Landlord Didn't Maintain Building Walls

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for failing to maintain building walls and appurtenances in a safe condition. DOB's inspector noted that the front porch ceiling of the two-story building had collapsed and the soffit at the roof was deteriorating and in danger of collapse. He also observed additional deterioration and detaching at certain locations at the roof and that the rear deck concrete support was cracking and out of plumb. Landlord claimed that the cited Code Section 28-302.1 in the violation notice applied only to buildings that were more than six stories high. The ALJ ruled for landlord and dismissed the violation. DOB appealed and won. Code Section 28-302.1 imposes a general requirement that exterior walls and appurtenances of all buildings, regardless of height, be maintained in a safe condition. ECB fined landlord $500.

Quoc Anh Le: ECB App. No. 1200336 (6/28/12) [3-pg. doc.]