Landlord Increased, Not Removed, Tenant Storage Space

Tenants complained of a reduction in building-wide services based on landlord's alleged intent to remove tenant storage space. The DRA ruled against tenants because no storage space had actually been removed. Tenants appealed and lost. In answer to tenants' complaint, landlord pointed out that it had asked tenants to move their belongings from the old storage unit that was portioned off with chicken wire and into a new, larger storage unit that was redesigned with wood, thereby making the area more secure. The new storage unit had a separate door, was only a few feet away from the old storage area, was labeled with tenants' apartment number, and was for their use only. DHCR inspection confirmed landlord's claim. And none of the other nine tenants in the building had complained that landlord had taken away their storage spaces.

Munnerlyn: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. BM810024RT (2/7/14) [2-pg. doc.]