Landlord Fined $50,500 for Illegally Altering Two-Family House

DOB issued violation notices to landlord for illegally altering a two-family dwelling and for work without a permit. DOB's inspector saw a Class "A" apartment in the cellar, and three SRO units on the second floor. Landlord claimed that when it bought the building in 1998, the cellar unit was already there but was unoccupied. Landlord also removed the SRO room locks the day after the violations were issued.

The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined it $47,500 plus daily penalties. Landlord appealed and lost, except that the daily penalties were reduced to reflect correction of second-floor SRO conditions. Landlord failed to prove any pre-existing condition. But the daily penalties were reduced. So the total fines were $50,500.

DOB v. Rampersaud: ECB App. No. 2000005 (3/19/20) [1-pg. doc.]