Landlord Fined $1,000 for Building Facade Cracks

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for failing to maintain exterior building walls. DOB’s inspector noted rusted steel lintels about windows at various locations, many vertical and horizontal cracks at various building locations, eroded brick mortar joints, and spalling cement stucco at the back of the building. Landlord claimed that it took immediate steps to correct the violation and was waiting for the city’s approval to release funds to make repairs. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined it $1,000. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord admitted that the conditions existed. It wasn’t a defense that it took immediate steps to correct the violation, and no mitigated penalty was available for this charge.

1330 Morris Avenue Housing Dev.: ECB App. No. 1601173 (12/1/16) [3-pg. doc.]