Landlord Held in Contempt of Court Order After Failing to Fix Broken Lock

Tenant commenced an HP proceeding against landlord, who was the shareholder/proprietary lessee of the co-op apartment tenant lived in. Tenant sought correction of various building code enforcement violations. In November 2023, the court issued an order directing landlord to replace a missing lock on the balcony door in one of the bedrooms. When landlord failed to correct the violation, tenant went back to court and asked for a contempt finding. The court held an inquest hearing after landlord failed to appear. Tenant testified that because of the broken balcony door she was forced to pay $1,497 to a pest control company to get rid of raccoons that had started to nest on the balcony. HPD's website also showed no certification by landlord that the violation had been corrected. The court found landlord in civil contempt and awarded a $1,497 judgment to tenant.

Genoa v. Chan: Index No. LT-006230/23, NYLJ No. 1710890942 (Civ. Ct. Queens; 3/11/24; Thermos, J)