Landlord Fined for Installing Gas Pipe Fittings Without Permit

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord when its inspector found gas pipe fittings and sealant installed in a building's cellar without a permit. Landlord didn't dispute the inspector's observations but said the plumber initially hired didn't obtain the required permits. He had since fired a licensed contractor and plumber, who were actively working to obtain the permits. DOB confirmed that alteration and plumbing applications were filed before the first ECB hearing date, but the plumbing application hadn't been approved. The ALJ fined landlord $1,600.

Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord argued that the conditions were corrected by the first scheduled hearing date, and that the penalty should be reduced. Landlord showed that the alteration permit was issued on July 28, 2017, and the plumbing permit was issued on Aug. 1, 2017, the date of the hearing. But ECB said that the DOB plumbing work permit wasn't approved or available prior to the hearing, so the penalty remained in place.

Gentile: ECB App. No. 1700909 (10/19/17) [2-pg. doc.]