Landlord Illegally Altered Two-Family Home

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord for illegally converting a two-family home by adding an apartment to the first floor. Landlord claimed that the first-floor apartment was there when she bought the building in 1978 and that no one lived there. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined her $1,200. Landlord appealed and lost. The actual use of the illegal unit didn't matter. Unapproved gas lines had been installed and the Certificate of Occupancy limited accessory use of the first floor as a one-car garage, recreation room, and storage area only.

Moy: ECB App. No. 1000242 (8/19/10) [3-pg. doc.]