Landlord Didn't Seal Rat Burrows

The DOH issued a violation notice to landlord for failing to keep property free from conditions conducive to pests after the DOH inspector saw rat burrows on the side of the building. Landlord claimed that it had fixed the condition by replacing garbage cans with ones with tighter seals, cementing in all cracks and holes on the ground-level cement covering, installing wire mesh over the entire surface of the garden soil and repairing openings in the stoop masonry, and installing a concrete floor beneath. Landlord also claimed that it had sealed up any holes on the side of the building. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined it $300. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord didn't deny that the conditions existed on the date of the violation notice and admitted that its exterminator didn't serve the premises until three days later.

Helen Neswald 2001 Living Trust: ECB App. No. 1101321 (3/29/12) [2-pg. doc.]