Landlord Fined $1,250 for Corroded, Leaking Gas Pipes and Meters

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for failing to maintain a building in a safe and code-compliant manner. DOB's inspector saw gas meters outside the building and gas piping having very heavy corrosion on the gas pipe meters. DOB called the utility company, which shut down the gas and found multiple leaks on the gas lines. At a hearing, landlord testified that it acted promptly after Con Ed shut off the gas and had submitted repair proposals to a licensed plumber. Con Ed later determined that gas service was adequate.

The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined it $1,250. Landlord appealed and lost. The corroded gas pipes violated Code Section 28-201.1, which landlord didn't dispute. It wasn't a valid defense that landlord bought the building only two years earlier and took prompt repair action when he became aware of the condition. Landlord had a duty to maintain the building in a safe, code-compliant manner.

DOB v. 1943 ADEE Owners LLC: ECB App. No. 2100568 (6/24/21) [3-pg. doc.]