Landlord Must Provide Blinds

Tenant complained of a decrease in required service. Tenant claimed that landlord didn't provide blinds. Landlord argued that he and tenant had agreed to lower the rent in exchange for tenant ''taking care of the blinds.'' The DRA ordered a rent cut, finding that blinds are a required service that landlord must provide. Landlord appealed, and the DHCR upheld the DRA's order. Blinds are a required service. Landlord can't benefit from the agreement with tenant because, under the Rent Stabilization Code, tenants can't bargain away their rights. Landlord must provide blinds or replace them if they can't be repaired, and tenant is only responsible for their cleaning.

Seashore Management Co.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. DB 210055-RO (3/23/94) [3-page document]