Landlord Fined for Installing New Gas Piping Without DOB Permit

DOB issued two violation notices to landlord for supplying gas at a building without inspection and testing by DOB. DOB’s inspector saw new gas piping in the building basement. More specifically, he observed several pieces of new gas piping with fresh pipe lubricant going to all three boilers and all three hot water heaters with no permit on file with DOB for the work. Landlord bought the building in 2010 and claimed that prior owner had performed the plumbing work in 2010. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined it $2,600, finding insufficient proof that landlord hadn’t done the work. Landlord appealed and lost. DOB’s inspector credibly testified that the work was new because of the moist consistency of the pipe lubricant on the gas pipes and the color difference between the new and old pipes. The inspector had 27 years of experience in the plumbing industry. 

Decatur Assets LLC: ECB App. No. 1600122 (4/28/16) [5-pg. doc.]