Landlord Fined Over $27,000 for Illegally Altering House

DOB issued violation notices to landlord based on illegal alterations, with per-day penalties. DOB's inspector stated that landlord altered a two-family house by creating 17 SRO units--five on the first floor, five on the second floor, and seven in the attic. DOB also claimed that landlord didn't correct this condition for 25 days after the initial violation notice was issued. Landlord claimed that he cured the condition the day he received the violation notice. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $2,400 for the illegal alteration plus $25,000 in per-day penalties. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord's claim that the violation was cured immediately was vague and inconclusive. And even if the occupants were removed the same day, the structural alterations remained and the units could have been reoccupied.

Chowdray: ECB App. No. 10000428 (9/30/10) [3-pg. doc.]